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u 



PIONEER SETTLERS 

OF GRAYSON COUNTY 

VIRGINIA 



BY 

B. F. NUCKOLLS 
GALAX, VA. 



1914 

The Kihg Printing Company 

le roi press 

bristol, tennessee 



/ 



Fsss. 



Bebtcatton 




HIS book is dedicated to the mem- 
ory of my father and mother ^ Clark 
Nuckolls and Rosa Bourne Hale 
Nuckolls; and also to other kindred 
and friends, many of whom have 
gone before, and many who are on 
their journey to the Mansions of Rest, ^ ff^e 
have lived and labored and loved together, 
and we hope to meet at last in the kingdom of 
our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who 
will finally gather all his faithful ones into 
their Heavenly Home, 



INTRODUCTION 

It is with unfeigned pleasure that I write these lines 
to introduce this modest volume to the reading public. 
I have known the author and the people of whom he 
writes for more than a half century. The author him- 
self is of one of the old pioneer families who, by their 
courage and stalwart virtues, made Southwestern Vir- 
gmia the garden spot of the world— "The land of the 
free, and the home of the brave." He was brought up 
among them, and is by blood akin to hundreds of them. 
He writes what he knows, and knows what he writes 
is true. The book is a recital of facts with but little 
embellishment— a garner for preserving for posterity, 
a history of the brave doings of the men and women 
of the generations gone by. This is clearly the author's 
purpose in writing it, and as such it is worthy of the hearty 
endorsement of the children of a noble ancestry. And 
it will be read by this and coming generations, not only 
in the happy homestead, the hills and valleys of South- 
western Virginia, but in many other states, for the sons 
of this hill country are spread far and wide over the 
South and West. Many men and women in the far off 
western plains will read with thrilling interest story 
after story of the early days of their fathers and grand- 
fathers who felled the forests and drove the wolves and 
bears from their lurking dens, and built their log cabins 
by the spring. The springs of laughing waters are still 
there, but the log cabins of the pioneers are gone — and 
beautiful homesteads, waving harvests and lowing herds 
tell of the comfort and good cheer of the country. The 
ramshackle school house, in which the children learned 
their a b c's in the years long gone, are replaced with 
academies and high schools of architectural taste and 



viii Pioneer Settlers 

adapted to educational purposes. And instead of the 
log cabin or humble private home of the settlers in which 
the "circuit-rider" used to conduct divine services, now 
the "church-going-bell" in every neighborhood calls 
the people to worship in elegant houses of worship. 

This book tells the how of all this change, and the 
worthy author merits the hearty thanks of all for putting 
the story in permanent form for preservation. I cordi- 
ally commend it to book lovers of the day. 

Knoxville, Tenn. D. SULLINS. 

October, 1913. 



PREFACE 

The times, opportunities, and surroundings have 
changed so much since the early settlement of this country 
that the people of the present generation do not realize 
what were the labors, privations, cares, and anxieties 
of their ancestors. They were such as try the nerve, 
strength, and fortitude of mankind. 

History proves to us beyond a doubt that our noble 
ancestors, by strenuous labors and perseverance, changed 
the face of this country, which they found wild and 
uncultivated, and that we now enjoy the fruits of their 
labor, while they "Rest from their labors, and their 
works do follow them." 

They cut down the forests, built their log cabins and 
stables, cleared up the low-lands and swamps, cleaned 
up the hills and mountain sides. Their cattle, sheep, 
and hogs lived on the range, but had to be brought in 
at night near the cabm to protect them from the ravenous 
wolves and other wild animals that were plentiful then. 
Bells were put on the cattle and sheep so that they 
could be found when they strayed away. The rich weeds 
and pea-vines and other vegetable growth afforded 
feed for the stock, and hogs fed on the mast, and foraged 
in the woodland. Pens were made, and the stock was 
driven into them at night, and often large log fires had to 
be built to keep the wolves away. 

We are not attempting in this book to givs sketches 
of all the families that have helped to make our section 
of the country what it now is, but will give some items of 
history and tradition that we think will be of interest 
to many and that have not hitherto been recorded. 

We hope that those who scan these pages will not read 
with the eye of the critic but with appreciation of the 
facts and items that have been gathered together. 



INDEX 

AsBURY, Bishop Francis 171 

Anderson, Maj. James 67 

Anderson, Orville, Clerk of Court 10 

Bourne, William, first Clerk of Grayson 17 

Bourne, Stephen G. 17 

Blair, Thomas, Sr : 26 

Blair, John.. 26 

Blair, Lorenzo Dow 51 

Bryan, Francis 163 

Bryan, Joseph 131 

Bryan, Lewis H 132 

Bryan, Morgan 132 

Canute, King of England 162 

Canute, William 163 

Canute, Col. Eli 163 

Coltrane, Col. Ira B , 123 

Cornett, Judge Geo. Washington 164 

Cooley, Benjamin. -- 186 

Carico, Rev. William 100 

Cox, John, of revolutionary fame 167 

Dow, Lorenzo 51 

Dickey, Mathew 189 

Dickey, John, Sr 188 

Dickey, Dr. John R 184 

Dickenson, Col. Martin 54 

Dickenson, John 55 

Davis, Col. Alexander M.._ 56 

Early, John, Sr 205 

Early, James 203 



xii Pioneer Setlers 

Early, John, Jr — 203 

Felts, Creed N 51 

Felts, Thomas, Detective 52 

Fulton, Rev. Creed 160 

Fulton, Samuel 160 

Fulton, Judge Andrew 16 

Garland, Landon Cabell, LL. D 143 

Garland, Charles — . 142 

Garland, Mary 142 

Garland, David S - 144 

Garland, Samuel 146 

Garland, Hugh A. 146 

Garland, Augustus H. - 146 

Garland, Rev. James Powell, D. D 147 

Garrison, Isaac 155 

Garrison, David - 155 

Goodykoontz, David 193 

Goodykoontz, Rev. Alfred M. 197 

GwYN, James 58 

Hale, Lewis, ancestor from Kent, England 107 

Hale, Edward, ancestor from Kent, England 104 

Hale, Judge Garland 121 

Hale, Col. Stephen, Sr. 114 

Hale, Capt. Lewis, Jr - 112 

Hale, Capt. Peyton N 113 

Hale, Capt. Fielden Lewis 118 

Hale, Maj. Peyton G 127 

Hale, Eli C - 116 

Hale, Hasten 73 

Hale, Prof. W. Stephen 116 

Hash, Jane 173 

Hanks, Joshua .._ 16 



Pioneer Settlers xiii 

Hanks, "Nancy" 158 

Hanks, Creed L 158 

IsoM, David 118 

Jones, Admiral John Paul 148 

Jones, Churchill 153 

Jones, Maj. Minitree 153 

Jones, Maj. Spotswood 153 

Jones, Maj. Churchill 153 

Jones, Maj. Abner 156 

Jones, William 155 

Johnston, Capt. Robert 61 

Johnston, James B _ 69 

Johnston, Mary 61 

Kyle, Judge William 52 

Kenny, William 205 

Kenny, Robert 205 

Kenny, William, Jr _ 205 

Kenny, John A 205 

La Rowe, Louis 206 

Lenoir, Gen. William..... 58 

LUNDY, FiELDEN J., Clerk of Court 17 

McCamant, Col. Samuel..._ 59 

McCamant, Dr. Thomas Jefferson 60 

McCamant, Thomas Jefferson, Jr 60 

Moore, Col. Alfred 82 

Moore, Spotswood J.._ 157 

Moore, Churchill F 157 

McMillan, Col. John 173 



I 



xiv Pioneer Settlers 

Nuckolls, John, James, William, York, Eng 65 

Nuckolls, Capt. Robert G... 72 

Nuckolls, Charles 66 

Nuckolls, Nathaniel 90 

Nuckolls, Garland 71 

Nuckolls, John, S. C., Killed by Tories, 1780 91 

Nuckolls, Ezra 84 

Nuckolls, Stephen Friel, Member of 46th Congress 86 

Oglesby, William 89 

Osborne, Enoch 171 

Osborne, Solomon 171 

Osborne, Zachariah.— 171 

Pendleton, Edmond, "Jurist" 146 

Perkins, Timothy 24 

Perkins, Johnston 48 

PuGH, Stephen 25 

PuGH, John 116 

Phipps, Benjamin 173 

Phipps, Joseph 173 

Phipps, Columbus 174 

Phlegar, Judge Archer A. 199 

Piper, Col. James 180 

Reeves, George 176 

Reeves, John 176 

Swift, Col. Flower, Ancestor from England 98 

Smith, Gen. Alexander, of "Stuarts," Eng 180 

Scott, James, of Ireland 126 

Sheffy, Rev. Robert Sawyers 70 

Thomas, Jonathan 24 



Pioneer Settlers xv 

Thomas, Stephen B 24 

Thomas, Dr. Fleming._ 175 

Vaughn, Nathaniel 16 

Vaughn, Rev. John 16 

Vaughn, Rev. Thomas C 138 

Ward, Ballard E. 73 

Worrell, James 159 

Worrell, Esaw, Sr 159 

Worrell, Capt. John 160 

Worrell, Churchill : 160 

Waugh, Capt. John Blair 48 

Young, Ezekiel._ 50 

Young, Fielden 175 



INDEX OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

Benjamin Floyd Nuckolls Frontispiece 

Dr. David Sullins vii 

The Old Kitchen 1 

The Old Nuckolls Homestead 9 

Frances Bourne 17 

MastinHale 21 

Nuckolls Springs 25 

The Hale Brick Residence. 33 

Elizabeth Blair Waugh 37 

Cliffside 41 

Residence of Captain John B. Waugh 49 

Elizabeth Thomas._ 53 

Col. Samuel McCamant 57 

Matilda Dickinson McCamant 65 

Nuckolls Cemetery 69 

Clark Nuckolls and Wife 73 

Residence of B. F. Nuckolls 81 

Ballard E. Ward and Wife 85 

James Stuart Ward „ 87 

William Swift Nuckolls 89 

Susan B. Hale 93 

Margaret Swift. 99 

Martha Nuckolls 101 

Hale Coat of Arms.._ 105 

The Hale Monument 113 

Eh C. Hale 117 

Lucinda Hale... 121 

Amanda J. Hale 125 

Stephen Friel Nuckolls 129 

Lucinda Bourne 133 

Sophia P. Hale 135 

Major Peyton G. Hale 137 

Garland Coat of Arms 141 

Landon C. Garland, LL. D. 145 

The Garret Cemetery 147 

Benjamin F. Nuckolls and Wife _ 195 



Pioneer Settlers of Grayson 
County J Virginia 



CHAPTER I 

The portion of Southwest Vu-ginia embraced in Gray- 
son and Carroll counties, bounded by New River and 
Wythe county on the North, and by the Blue Ridge 
and state of North Carolina on the South, was first 
known as Botetourt District, afterwards, as Washing- 
ton and Montgomery Districts. 

New River was first called Woods River and after- 
wards changed to New River. A Mr. Woods discovered 
the river, and set up claims on lands on the waters of 
Crooked and Chestnut Creeks. Other boundaries were 
secured by Buchanan. Some of the titles to land on which 
the town of Galax is built run back to the old Buchanan 
papers. 

In 1720, Spottsylvania was formed from portions of 
Essex, King William, and King and Queen counties, 
and was named for Col. Alexander Spottswood, who was 
one of the colonial governors of Virginia. 

Orange was formed from Spottsylvania in 1734; Augusta 
from Orange in 1738; Botetourt from Augusta in 1769; 
Fincastle coimty was formed from Botetourt in 1772, 
and covered far more than half of the present state of 
West Virginia, all of the present state of Kentucky, and 
all of what we now know as Southwest Virginia. 

In 1776, the county of Fincastle was abolished, and 
out of its territory three new counties were formed, to-wit: 
Montgomery, Washington, and Kentucky. 

Montgomery was formed from Fincastle in 1776; 
Wythe from Montgomery in 1790; Grayson from Wythe 
in 1792; Carroll county from Grayson in 1842. 

When Wythe county was formed from Montgomery 
m 1790 it included a large boundary reaching to the North 



2 Pioneer Settlers 

Carolina line on the South, and embracing what is now 
known as Grayson and Carroll counties. 

Evansham (afterwards changed to Wytheviile) was 
selected as the place to hold courts and elections, and 
all free holders were required to go there to vote. 

The early settlers had selected land along New River 
and its tributary creeks, as they were most productive, 
and were rich with wild pea-vine and other vegetation 
for the stock. 

They did not like to have the county seat so far removed 
from them, so they called for a county on the south 
side. Flower Swift was one of the magistrates of the 
Wythe court. He, with others, made an effort to get 
a county cut off from Wythe, but was met with violent 
opposition. 

William Bourne was a candidate for the Legislature, 
but was not elected on account of his known intention 
to secure a new county. When the Legislature met, 
Bourne was there as a lobby member, and succeeded in 
carrying out his wishes. Mr. Grayson, of Montgomery 
county, gave much help in securing the new county, 
and in recognition of his services the county was named 
for him — "Grayson". 

The first court was held in William Bourne's bam on 
Knob Fork of Elk Creek. Flower Swift, Minitree Jones, 
and Nathaniel Frisbie were appointed magistrates. 

The members of the first court were Flower Swift, 
Enoch Osboume, Minitree Jones, Nathaniel Frisbie, 
Philip Gaines, William Bourne, Nathaniel Pope, Matthew 
Dickey, Lewis Hale, and Moses Foley. William Bourne 
was appointed clerk of the court. 

Records of the first court held in Grayson county, in 
William Bourne's barn. May 21st, 1793, and partial 
proceedings of some subsequent courts : 



Grayson County, Va. 3 

Be it remembered that on the 21st day of May, in the year of 
our Lord, 1793, at the house of Willaim Bourne, in the County of 
Grayson, a Commission of the Governor, Henry Lee, of the Common- 
wealth of Virginia, for the County aforesaid, directed to Flower 
Swift, Enoch Osbourne, Minitre Jones, Nathaniel Frisbie, Phillip 
Gaines, William Bourne, Nathaniel Pope, Mathew Dickey, Lewis 
Hale, and Moses Foley, Gent., bearing date the 10th day of Decem- 
ber, 1792, was produced as being read, and thereupon Flower 
Swift took the Oath of Allegiance to the Commonwealth, the Oath 
to support the Constitution of the United States, the Oath of a 
Justice of the Peace, and the Oath of a Justice of the County Court 
in Chancery, which Oaths were administered to him by Minitree 
Jones and Nathaniel Frisbie, and then the said Flower Swift 
administered all the aforesaid Oaths to the aforesaid Enoch Os- 
bourne, Minitre Jones, Nathaniel Frisbie, Phillip Gaines, William 
Bourne, Nathaniel Pope, Mathew Dickey, and Lewis Hale, who 
took the same. 

A Commission from His Excellency, Henry Lee, Governor of 
the Commonwealth, to Phillip Gaines to be Sheriff of the County 
of Grayson to take effect from and after the 13 day of this instant, 
was produced by the said Phillip Gaines and Read, and thereupon, 
he, together with William Bobbitt and John Stone his Security, 
and entered into and acknowledged their bond for the said Phillip 
Gaines due performance of his Office, which is Ordered to be recorded 
and Flower Swift and Enoch Osbourne administered to the said 
Phillip Gaines the Oath of Allegiance to support the Common- 
wealth of the United States, and also the Oath of Sheriff. 

At a Court held for Grayson County the 27th day of May, 
1793. 

Present: 

Flower Swift 
Enoch Osbourne 
Nathaniel Frisbie 
Nathaniel Pope 
Mathew Dickey 
Lewis Hale 

Gentlemen, Justices. 

The Court proceeded to appoint a Clerk. Whereupon William 
Bourne was chosen to that office, and thereupon, he together with 
Thomas Blair, Jeremiah Stone, and John Stone, his Security, 
entered into and acknowledged their bond according to law for the 



4 Pioneer Settlers 

said Bournes due performance of the duties of his said office, and 
the said William Bourne thereupon took the Oath of Allegiance, 
the Oath to support the Constitution of the United States, and 
the Oath of the Clerk of a County Court. 

Present: 

MiNiTRE Jones, 

Gent. 

Phillip Gaines, Esq., is Nominated as Surveyor, and it is Ordered 
that the same be certified to the president and professors of William 
and Mary College. 

Alexander Smyth, Gent., produced License Signed by Richard 
Carey, Henry Taswell, and Edmond Winston, permitting him to 
practice as an Attorney in the Inferior and Superior Courts within 
this Commonwealth, and having taken the Oath prescribed by 
law, is admitted to practice in the Courts. 

The Court adjourned until 10 o'clock tomorrow. 

Flower Swift. 

At a Court continued and held for the County of Grayson on 
the 22nd day of May, 1793. 

Present: 

MiNiTRE Jones, 
Nathaniel Frisbie, 
Mathew Dickey, 
Lewis Hale, 

Gent. 

William Drope is admitted a Deputy Clerk to this Court, where- 
upon he took the Oath prescribed by law. 

Ordered, that for the purpose of appointing Commissioners to 
value property taken by E, the County be divided into two Districts, 
that part eastward of Meadow Creek and New River to form one 
end, and the residue of the County the other. 

William Bobbitt, Jacob Colyar, and George Martin are appointed 
Commissioners to value property in the lower Eastern District; 
and Enoch Osbourne, David Cox, Stephen Goast, in the upper or 
Western District, and it is ordered that they be served with notice 
to qualify according to Law. 

Present, 

Flower Swift, 
Enoch Osbourne, 
Nathaniel Pope, 

Gent. 



Grayson County, Va. 5 

The Court proceeded to fix upon a place of holding Courts, and 
fixed upon a place known by the name of Rose's Cabins, cr within 
one mile thereof, and appointed the house wherein Court now sits 
as the place of holding Courts until publick buildings shall be 
erected. 

Minitre Jones and Enoch Osbourne, Gent., entered their dissent 
to the order fixing the permanent place of holding Courts. 

Absent, Flower Swift, Gent. 

Charles Nuckolls, Flower Swift and Phillip Gaines, Gent., in 
Court agree that they will Convey to trustees for the use of the 
Courts, 100 Acres of land at the seat of the public buildings, one- 
half thereof to be laid out into Lets and Streets, and establish a 
Town; the balance to be Common, Reserving three half-acre 
Lotts at their choice after the Lotts were laid off. 

-Minitre Jones and Mathew Dickey, Gent., are appointed Com- 
missioners on behalf of the Courts to fix on the situation for the 
publick Buildings within the District aforesaid, to receive from the 
proprietors of the Lands there a conveyance there of, or an Obli- 
gation for the Same, and to contract with an undertaker for the 
erection of the necessary buildings according to plans to be by them 
prepared, and finally to lay off a Town at the place; provided that 
the auction of the buildings shall be let by auction to the lowest 
bidder, on some Court day, on public notice. 

Present, 

Flower Swift, 

Gent. 

On motion of Phillip Gaines, Esq., David Vaughn is admitted 
a Deputy Sheriff in the County, whereupon he took the Oath 
prescribed by Law. 

Alexander Smith is appointed Deputy Attorney for the Common- 
wealth, in this Court, which is ordered to be Certified to; And it 
is further ordered that he be allowed the Sum of Twenty pounds 
in the levy the present year, as a compensation for his services for 
one year from this time. 

The Court also appoints Minitre Jones and Mathew Dickey to 
hold elections for overseer of the poor, the election to be held at 
the Forge on the 12th day of June next. 

Ordered that Shadrack Greer and Tobias Phipps be recommended 
as Justices of the Peace for this County. 

The Court appoints the oflicers for the regiment of Malitia; 
Ordered that Flower Swift be recommended as Leut. Col., Minitre 



6 Pioneer Settlers 

Jones, Major of the first Battalion, Avery Henick, Captain of Rifle 
Company, first Battalion, John Wilson, Leut., William ChaflBn, 
Ensign. 

James Anderson, Captain of Rifle Company, Second Battalion, 
William Vaughn, Lieut., and Geo. Levesy, Ensign. 

There are 3 Companies for first Battalion, Three Captains, 
Nathaniel Pope, John McCoy, John Pickerell. 

Second Battalion, Three Captains, Jonathan Ward, Abner Jones, 
George Howell. 

Court adjourned until Court in Course. 

Flower Swift, 

Gent. 
Court 10th of June, 1793: 

A deed from Flower Swift and Mary his wife, to Mathew Dickey, 
proven by Minitre Jones, and Redmond Cody. 

Ordered that Revd. Moses Foley be admitted to solemnize the 
rights of matrimony, agreeable to the rules of his church, so soon 
as he shall enter into bond according to law. 

Ordered, that a road be opened from Blair and Dickey's furnace 
to the county line. From the Furnace to the ground where the 
Courthouse is to be erected, thence to the Forge, thence to William 
Jennings, Joseph Mill, Nathaniel Pope, James Cock, and William 
Williams (Wagoner), views the grounds to County line. 

Dennis Fielder, Rubin Cornute, and William Long, who were at 
the last Court, appointed to view Different ways petitioned for 
by the Inhabitants of Elk Creek, upon their Oaths do say there 
may a waggon Road be made from Jeremiah Stones to Hale's 
Meeting house, from thence to the Widow Roarch Cabin, from 
thence to Richard Wrights, Sen., to Richard Wrights, Jun., and 
that the Survey of the same keep it in Repair according to Law. 

Ordered that John Nash be allowed for the killing one Old Wolfe 
out of present County Levy. 

Ordered that Joseph Fields be allowed for the killing one Old 
Wolfe out of present County Levy. 

At a Court Continued for the Examination of a Negro man 
named Natt, the property of James Cox, on Suspicion of his Felon- 
iously taking from Thomas Blair one Duck Blanket to the value 
of fifteen Shillings. 

The above named Natt was led to the Bar, and upon Examination, 
denieth the Fact, Wherewith he stands charged, upon which several 
Witnesses were Sworn and examined, and the prisoner heard in 
his own Defence; On Consideration of which of the Circumstances 



Grayson County, Va. 7 

relating to the Crime, the Court are of Opinion that he is guilty 
of the fact wherewith he stands charged, but the things being of 
Small Value, and the prisoner praying Corporal punishment, it 
is ordered that he Receive fifteen Lashes at the publick whippin 
post of the County on his bare back, well laid on, and it is said to 
the Sheriff that Execution thereof be immediately done. 
Ordered that this Court adjourn until Court in Course. 

Flower Swift. 

A Suit on Bond given by Phillip Gainer. 
Martin Dickenson Plf. 

V 

Daniel Sheffy Dft. 

Upon a bond for the forthcoming of the property at the day of 
Sale upon an Execution obtained from Court. 

Robert Sayers proved two days attendance as on evidence in 
the Suit Baker vs. English, and 16 miles traveling here, and the 
same returning each Daj^ . 

Baker vs. English Judy for ;^3. sl5. 6 and cost. 

The Court proceeded to Lay the County Levy, and find the 
Claims for and against the Same as follows, viz.: 

To the Clerk's Publick Services the present year 25 Dol. 

The Sheriff same 25 Dol. 

To Clerks and Surveyor Book, &c, 50 Dol. 

To Alexander Smith Att. Com 66.67. 

To Creditors for Wolfe heads 50 D. 

To Clerks for examining Com. Books 5 Dol. 

To account for Delinquents 25.33 D. 

Ordered that the Sheriff Collect the Levy and give Bond in the 
Clerk's Office in ten Days. 

The Court proceeded to fix the rates to be observed by Ordinary 
keepers: 

(You will see this Order on p. 35 in the old records of the first 
Courts for Grayson County which belongs to the Clerk's Office at 
Independence, Va. William Bourne, first Ordinary Keeper, at his 
house. B. F. N.) 

COURT RECORDS 
(See page 35) 

The Court proceeded to fix the rates to be Observed by Ordinary 
keepers, viz.: 



8 Pioneer Setters 

£ s d 

A breakfast with Coffee 13 

Ditto Without Coffee 10 

Dinner Warm, if good 16 

Cold 13 

Lodging Clean for 1 in bed 6 

2 in bed 4 

More than 2 in bed 

Stableage pr night 6 

Do pr 24 hours 9 

Do. for less than 24 hours 6 

Pasturage in Season pr night 6 

Do. pr 24 hours 9 

Corn pr. Gallon 8 

Oats pr. Gallon 6 

Wine Madera pr. quart..._ 8 

Do. inferior 5 

West India rum pr half-pint..._ 10 

Cosbert Do per Do 6 

Taffia Do pr. Do. 6 

French brandy pr. Do 9 

Peach Do. per Do 6 

Gin pr. Do 8 

Whiskey pr. Do 6 

Good Cider pr. qt.._ 8 

Good Beer pr. Do.._ 6 

Small beer 4 

At a Court held for the County of Grayson on the 24th Day of 
June, l'}94. 

Present: 

Flower Swift, 
Enoch Osbournb, 
MiNiTRE Jones, 
Mathew Dickey, 
Lewis Hale, 

Gentlemen Justices. 

Ordered that Joshua Cox be allowed in the next County Levy 
for the Killing of five Young Wolves." 

"Ordered that this Court adjourn from the house of William 
Bourne to the New Courthouse, Court in Course". Last Court. 
Wm. B.'s House. 

Flower Swift 



Grayson County, Va. 9 

First Court, N. C. House: 

At a Court held for the County of Grayson on the 22nd day of 
July, 1794. 

Present: 

Flower Swift, 
Nathaniel Frisbib, 
Nathaniel Pope, 
Lewis Hale, 

Gent, Justices. 

Ordered that the Stock Mark of George Martin be Recorded a 
half Crop off the Left ear, and a half penny out of the right ear, 
viz.: the half Crop out of the upper side of the left and the half 
penny out of the underside of the right. 

A Deed from Mathew Dickey and Rebaca Dickey his wife to 
Thomas Blair, proven by the Oath of Greenberry McKinzie, and 
ordered to be Certified. 

A Deed from Flower Swift, and Mary his wife, to Jessie Williams 
was proven by the Oaths of William AUin, John Williams, and 
Augustus Webber, three of the witnesses there to, and 0. R. 

On the motion of George Ring and Richard Hale, a certificate 
is granted for obtaining letters of administrations on the Estate 
of Martin Ring, and Whereupon they entered into with William 
Hale, Lewis Hale, Dudley Hale, and Jacob Spraker, their Securities, 
and qualified according to law. 

Ordered that John Fielder, Elisha Bedsaul, and Martin Dick- 
enson be appointed to appraise the personal property and make 
report there of to Court. 

Ordered that Dudley Hale be appointed Overseer of the road in 
place of Timothy Roark, and that he, with the usual hands, keep 
the same in repair. 

On motion of Robert Nuckolls, who, having produced the receipt 
of the Clerk of this Court for the sum of Twelve Dollars and fifty 
Cents, a license is granted him to keep an Ordinary at his house 
in Greenville, One year from the first of May last. Whereupon he 
entered into bond with Security accordingly. 

A List of Insolvent Tythes for the year 1810 was produced in 
Court and allowed by the Court, aud proved by the Oath of Abner 
Jones. 

A Commission from his Excellency, James Wood, Leutenant 
Governor, in the absence of the Governor, appointing Abner Jones 



10 Pioneer Settlers 

and John Robertson Justice of the Peace for Grayson County in 
Chancery. 

This closes the copies from the first Book of Record 
for the Courts of Grayson county. Said book begins with 
the date of the 21st day of May, 1793, and closes with 
the 31st of May, 1811. 

First court held in new courthouse, on 22nd of July, 
1794. Second courthouse built about 1838. County 
divided, and Carroll cut off of east end of Grayson, 
in 1842. (For record of First Court for Carroll, June, 
1842, see F. L. Hale's obituary.) Independence was 
chosen as the county seat of Grayson, in 1850 or 1851. 
Orville Anderson was clerk. He moved to Independence, 
and died there soon after moving. 

The following, in reference to the laying of the comer- 
stone of the M. E. Church at Fries, Virginia, is taken from 
The Roanoke Times of November 27th 1902: 

NOTABLE DAY FOR FRIES 

"The gods have indeed been kind to our infant city 
on this day of days in her history. The laying of the 
corner-stone of any pioneer church of any settlement is 
a vital event in the history of that place, and the people 
of Grayson, Wythe, Carroll and other counties, have 
beyond question shown their appreciation of this fact, 
as demonstrated by their large outpouring today. The 
occasion which gathered so many hundreds of noble 
women and men within the corporation of Fries today 
was the laying of the corner-stone of the M. E. Church, 
South. The ceremonies were entirely in the hands of 
the Masons and Odd Fellows and conducted in their 
very impressive style, each and every ofiicer being in 
good voice and all were men of high intelligence and fine 
personal bearing. The Order of Rebekah, with its queenly 
membership, was in good evidence, and under command 



Grayson County, Va. 11 

of its noble grand, Miss Donna Fielder. Marshals of 
the day were Dr. Koontz and R. L. Dickenson. 

"Lodges were represented from Wytheville, Crozier, 
Ivanhoe, Hillsville, Old Town, Independence and Pulaski. 
Dixie Lodge, of this city, has for its worshipful master. 
Judge Padgett, of Grayson county court. The noble 
grand of Fries Lodge of Odd Fellows is J. D. Baley. 

"Deposited in the corner-stone is a list of Old Town 
Lodge, No. 68, A. F. & A. M., names of charter members 
and names of members at this time; a list of members of 
Dixie Lodge, and time of organization; also a list of Fries 
Lodge, No. 39, L 0. 0. F., with time of organization; 
a list of Fries Sunday-school; an account of the massacre 
of the Bartlett family and others by four runaway negroes 
on the 11th of August, 1851; list of trustees of the chui'ch; 
list of members of the church at this place; paper giving 
time of organization of Washington Mills and names of 
directors, copies of Holston Conference Annual, Methodist 
Discipline, Holston Methodist, Grayson Gazette, Grayson 
Journal, Virginia Odd Fellows, Christian Advocate, 
Wytheville Dispatch and Roanoke Times. 

"The church building has brick foundation and is to 
be of wooden super-structure, with a seating capacity 
of about 800. It will be completed by spring and will 
have practically no debt hanging over it, due to the 
liberality of Col. Fries and the public. The church will 
be, as it now is, under the charge of Rev. T. C. Vaughan, 
a man of christian zeal and noble personality. 

"Rev. E. F. Kahle, presiding elder of this conference, 
delivered the oration of the day. In clear, well niodulated 
tones and classic style he portrayed the building of 
Solomon's temple, injecting the thought that, after the 
colossal work was done it fell short of the humblest 
meeting house of this era. Since it never knew the Savior 
of man. His masterful address received the closest 



12 Pioneer Settlers 

attention and will be treasured a long time by those 
who heard him. 

"Within a hundred feet of the church stands the public 
school, which, when completed, will accommodate 500 
children. 

"These buildings are under the architectural guidance 
of Capt. R. P. Henry, who has charge of the extensive 
and difficult building of this city. 

"After the ceremonies matters were handed over to 
the tender care of a committee of ladies, who undertook, 
with happy result, the feeding of the vast multitude, 
serving a splendid dinner and supper. 

" More anon from this strenuous little city. " 



The first trial held in the new court-house in Independ- 
ence was that of the four negroes who were engaged in 
the fight of which an account is given below : 

"An account of a fight or massacre that occurred 
with the Bartlett family, John Clements, William B. 
Hale and Currin C. Hale and four runaway negroes, on 
the grounds now occupied by the Fries Company, which 
fight or massacre took place on Monday morning, about 
10 o'clock, August 11, 1851. 

"Wilham Bartlett and Elizabeth Paschel, his wife, 
moved to New River, Grayson county, Va., in 1834, 
with their two sons and one daughter — Samuel Bartlett, 
Alfred G. Bartlett and Matilda Bartlett, wife of Cyrus 
Wilcox. 

"William B. Hale moved to the adjoining far-m east on 
the river, with his son, Currin C. Hale, about 1838. 

"John Clements moved to the mill west of Wm. Bart- 
lett's, on the river, about 1847. 

"In the Year 1849 two men came into the county of 
Grayson by the names of Bacon and Cook. These men 
claimed to be Methodist preachers from Ohio. They 



Grayson County, Va. 13 

traveled over the county and preached. But it was soon 
known that they were "aboUtionists" and that they 
were interfering with the negroes, talking with and 
advising them to run away and go to Ohio, and that they 
would help them get through. 

"On Sunday night of the 10th of August, 1851, four 
negro men started for Ohio. Two of them, Simon and 
Lewis, belonged to John Reeves, and the other two, 
Jack and Henry, belonged to a man named Cox. 

"These negroes got a canoe, armed themselves with 
butcher knives and scythe blades, and started down the 
river for Ohio. Their instruction from Bacon was to 
travel down the river at night and lay by in the daytime, 
and that he would meet them at the Kanawha Falls 
and take them across to Ohio. They reached the falls 
near the Clements' mills about daylight Monday morning, 
August 11, 1851, tied up their canoe and went up into 
a ravine in the woods and started a fire. The smoke was 
discovered by John Clements, who went into the woods 
and found the negroes in camp for the day. 

"Mr. Clements sent Calvin Bobbitt for help to take 
the negroes. Samuel Bartlett, Alfred G. Bartlett, Cyrus 
Wilcox, William B. Hale, Cunin C. Hale and Leftrick 
Hill came, with guns and a bulldog, and demanded their 
surrender. 

"At once two commenced the fight, the other two run- 
ning for the river. Samuel Bartlett was struck with a 
scythe blade and his head cut open. John Clements was 
cut on the head. Alfred G. Bartlett was struck on the 
head, cut on the wrist, and his thumb nearly cut off in 
his efforts to keep off the blows. 

"The fight was then between A. G. Bartlett, Cyrus 
Wilcox and the two stout negroes. Wilcox seized one of 
the negroes and threw him to the ground. Alfred shot 
at the other, but failed to hit him, and the negro ran to 



14 Pioneer Settlers 

Wilcox and stuck the butcher knife through his neck, 
just missing the jugular vein. Bartlett struck the negro 
Simon across the back with his gun barrel, having broken 
the breech of his gun in the fight. 

"In this severe and desperate struggle Bartlett and 
Wilcox so disabled these two negi'oes that they surrendered. 
The other two v/ere pursued by W. B. and C. C. Hale. 
Several shots were fired at them without effect. Currin 
Hale struck at one with his gun barrel and bent it. Jack 
threw a rock and struck William Hale on the neck. The 
other did not attempt to fight, but ran into the river 
and was caught by the bulldog. 

"Thus the bloody struggle ended for the day. Sam'l 
Bartlett lived about six hours. John Clements afterwards 
died in Nebraska of his wounds. Cyrus Wilcox recovered ; 
also Wm. Hale and Alfred Bartlett. Only two are now 
living who were in this bloody and dangerous fight — ■ 
Alfred Bartlett and Currin Hale. Hale lives in Nebraska. 
Bartlett remained at the old home until he sold to the 
Fries M'f'g Co., and now lives near-by. He has by his 
energy and enterprise reared a large and respectable 
family, and amid his affliction and disabled condition 
continues as one of Grayson county's best citizens. 

"Two of the negroes left at the camp — Simon and Lewis 
— revived, tied up their wounds and started again for 
Ohio, but after several days were captured in Bland 
county — one in a house stealing something to eat — the 
other in a com field stealing com. The other two — Jack 
and Henry — went back to their home. They were all 
brought to Independence and tried in court. Hemy 
was released, as he did not fight. Simon, Lewis and Jack 
were condemned to hang, and were executed on Friday, 
Nov. 1, 1851, at Independence, Grayson Co., Va. 

"After this massacre the county was in a state of ex- 
citement and men gathered from Old Town, Elk Creek, 



Grayson County, Va. 15 

Knob Fork and other places to search for the man Bacon, 
who had caused the trouble and bloodshed, as he had 
told these negroes to fight their way through. Bacon 
was found at Amos Moore's, but before the men could 
catch him he ran to Iron Mountain and got away. If 
he had been caught he would doubtless have been hanged 
at once. Cook had disappeared before this time. 

"The foregoing facts are known to many of us, but 
have not gone into history. 

"We therefore desire these facts to be placed by the 
hands of Alfred Bartlett in the corner-stone of the church, 
to be laid at Fries on Nov. 21, 1902, as this M. E. Church, 
South, is being built on the former Bartlett estate and 
on the ground where Sam'l Bartlett lived at the time of 
his being killed in the fight. 

"Given under my hand, and by the assistance of Alfred 
G. Bartlett, an eye witness and actor in this distressing 
piece of history. Written on the 16th day of Nov., 1902. 

"BEN FLOYD NUCKOLLS, 

"Minister of M. E. Church, South." 

Carroll county was named for Charles Carroll, of 
Carrolton, Maryland, who was one of the signers of the 
American Declaration of Independence. He survived 
all the other signers by six years, and had been dead only 
ten years when Carroll county was formed. 

The following was copied from the record of Carroll's 
first court: 

First order: "Be it remembered that on the sixth day 
of June 1842, a commission of the peace for the county 
of Carroll from John M. Gregory, Lieutenant Governor 
of the Commonwealth of Virginia, acting as Governor, 
under the seal of the Commonwealth, directed to Joshua 
Hanks, John Blair, Benjamin Cooley, John Cocke, 
William Lindsey, John B. Mitchell, Hugh Currin, 



16 Pioneer Settlers 

William Raines, William C. Hall, and John Vaughn, 
and bearing date March 29th, 1842. 

''Whereupon, the several persons named above appeared 
and took the several oaths required by law as Justices 
of Carroll county, which said oaths were administered 
to them by Thomas McCabe, a justice of the peace in 
Floyd county." 

The record then recites that these justices opened court 
in the house of James Stafford, in Hillsville, Virginia. 
Harold Mathews was appointed clerk pro. tem. of the 
court. A. S. Fulton, Benjamin R. Floyd, Richard T. 
Mathews, Archabald Stuart, Samuel McCamant, William 
H. Cook, Madison T. Carter, and Joseph C. Spalding 
were admitted as attorneys to practice law in the court. 
William Lindsey was then elected clerk of the court, 
and Harold Mathews qualified as his deputy. James L. 
Mitchell was appointed county surveyor, and Robert 
Kenny, coroner. Nathaniel W. Vaughn, Fianklin 
Clements, Joshua Hanks, Jr., Jonathan R. Sumner, 
Joshua G. Mabey, Thomas Dalton, Lacy Bobbitt, William 
Lewis, and John Webb were appointed constables for 
the county. The court remained in session for two days 
and adjourned to meet again on the 30th of June (1842) 
at the house of Parks Ashworth in Hillsville, Virginia. 



■1^^ 




FRANCES BOURNE 
Daughter of WilUam Bourne, Sr., and wife of Stephen Hale, Sr. 



CHAPTER II 

THE BOURNE FAMILY 

From the account given of the formation and early 
history of Grayson county, we learn that William Bourne 
was a man of much force, and had a large share in devel- 
oping the county. 

Following is a copy of the family record of William 
Bourne and Rosamond Jones, his wife, in the old Bourne 
Bible, now the property of Mrs. Elizabeth D. Lundy, 
widow of Fielden Johnston Lundy, and youngest daughter 
of Stephen Bourne and wife, Patty Mays: "Stephen 
Bourne (Grey) was the son of William Bourne and his 
wife, Rosamond Jones. Rosa Jones, wife of William 
Bourne, was a daughter of Minitree Jones, Sr., who 
married Miss Spottswood. Rosa Jones had three brothers, 
Minitree, Jr., Spottswood and Churchill, all of Revolu- 
tionary fame." 

BIRTHS AND DEATHS 

William Bourne, born August 23, 1743. 

Rosamond, his wife, bom Feburary 14th, 1750. 

Rosamond, wife of William Bourn, Sr., died 16th 
March, 1821, age 71 years. 

William Bourn, Sr., died June 8th, 1836, aged 88 years. 

Stephen Bourn, G., departed this life April the 29th, 
1849, on Sunday, 12 minutes after 8 o'clock in the morning. 

Patsy Bourn, his wife, departed this life, April the 
29th, 1849, on Sunday, 35 minutes after 9 o'clock in the 
morning. (Only 1 hour and 23 minutes after her husband.) 

Children of William Bourn and his wife, Rosamond 
Jones, were seven daughters and two sons, as follows: 



18 Pioneer Settlers 

First, Patience, November 18th, 1770. Married 
Jonathan Thomas. 

Second, Milly, March 7th, 1773. Married Jessie 
McKinney. 

Third, Charity, November 7th, 1775. Married John 
Blah-. 

First, Stephen, February 26th, 1779. Married Patsy 
Mays. 

Fourth, Mary, January 5th, 1782. Married Martin 
Dickinson. 

Fifth, Elizabeth, March 20th, 1785. Married Capt. 
Lewis Hale. 

Sixth, Frances, June, 5th 1788. Married Stephen 
Hale, Sr. 

Seventh, Celia, December 25th, 1790. Married Robert 
Johnstone, Roaring River, Wilkes county, N. C. 

Second, William, May 4th, 1794. Married Mary 
Johnstone, Roaring River, Wilkes county, N. C* 

The seven daughters and two sons lived to be old, 
and brought up large families; also raised a number of 
negroes. 

The seven daughters were all widows, at the same time, 
and by their energy and perseverance managed their 
estates well. None of the family married the second time. 

The following is copied from the Southwest Virginia 
Enterprise of March, 1912: 

"The following paper was read by Miss Bertha Nuckolls 
of Galax at a meeting of the Women's Missionary Society 
held in the Galax Methodist Church March 1st, 1912. 
We clip from the Post-Herald: 

"The first missionary woman of Grayson county was 
Rosa Bourne. Rosa Jones was a descendant of James 
Jones, brother of Admiral Paul Jones and lived on a 
large grant of land near Fredericksburg, Virginia. 

"About the year of 1765, Rosa Jones was married to 



Grayson County, Va. 19 

William Bourne in Hanover county, Virginia, near Rich- 
mond. Soon after their marriage they left the old 
colonial home and moved out into the wilderness of New- 
River, which was then Botetourt and Washington district, 
but now Grayson county. 

"On their move they came as far as Fort Chiswell in 
wagons, and from there they packed their baggage on 
horses across Iron Mountain to Knob Fork, and settled 
on the waters of New River, and commenced to open 
up this country. At that time there were but eight 
settlers in this part of the country. 

" They built cabins and other temporary buildings and 
cleared out the best portion of the land. Soon after they 
came here, they discovered iron ore and in addition to 
his other work, Wm. Bourne began to work the ore in a 
crude way and finally developed the mineral. He built 
forges, and also a furnace for moulding castings at the 
fall of Peach Bottom Creek, near what is now Independ- 
ence. There are marks where the old furnace stood. 
There is now at this place an electric plan t and the elec- 
tricity is used to run the mills and light the town of 
Independence. 

"When William Bourne and young wife started their 
married life in the wilderness of S. W. Virginia, they pos- 
sessed foresight and perseverance, and prepared the way 
for progress and civilization, and did much to make this 
wilderness blossom as the rose. Their descendants have 
been and are yet found among the foremost men and 
women of this country. By perseverance and energy 
they opened the way for usefulness and prosperity for 
the coming generations. 

"Rosa Bourne was always kind to their negroes and 
provided well for them. She was their doctor when sick, 
their comfort in trouble, a Christian woman and would 
say to the sick all around about her, 'You must pray 



20 Pioneer Settlers 

to the Lord for help, and I will pray for you and help you 
all I can. ' She would go to all her friends and neighbors 
and help them in time of need. 

"They had two sons and seven daughters, all married 
and settled in this country, reared large families, who 
have been representatives both in church and state over 
150 years past; in fact their generations have settled 
this part of the country. 

"Rosa Bourne was bom February 14th, 1750. 

"William Bourne and wife lived and died on Knob 
Fork and are buried where he built his first house. His 
land estate was inherited by his youngest son, Wm. 
Bourne, Jr., who, having brought up his family there, 
sold 2700 acres to Dr. Gage. Since then his home has 
been owned by some of his descendants, and is now held 
by Prof. F. R. Comett, and son, Glenn, whose wife, Agnes 
Phipps, daughter of Columbus Phipps, is a direct descend- 
ant of Patience Bourne. 

"Rosa Bourne died March 16th, 1821, age 71 years. 

"William Bourne died June 8th, 1836, age 88 years. 

"Their graves are marked with large tombstones made 
by hand of soapstone. These tombstones and the in- 
scriptions were the works of John Blair who married 
Charity Bourne, daughter of William and Rosa Bourne. " 

The following clipping was printed in a Marion paper 
several years ago: 

"Ballard E. Ward, Esq., who is the owner of one of 
the largest and best farms in Grayson county, has an old 
log bam upon his farm, in a good state of preservation, 
in which the first county court of Grayson county was 
held after the county was formed. The old bam is very 
large and to cover it requires 36,000 shingles. On the same 
farm there is a very old graveyard, which has been 
abandoned for many years as a burying ground. On one 





MASTIN HALE 
Eldest Son of Stephen Hale, Sr., and wife, Frances Bourne, and the First of 
Thirteen Children. He died in his ninety-eighth year 



Grayson County, Va. 21 

of the tombstones appears the following singular inscrip- 
tion, which was done about 53 years ago: 

Here Rosa Bourne's body laid 
of whom in truth no harm was said. 
Her Sovereign will was much obeyed 
While here with us on Earth she Stayed 
Because that her deportment made 
through perfect love, all feel afraid. 

the Man who wrote these lines to tell 
of her character knew her well 
He put these lines upon the Stone 
To make it to the readers Known, 
That they like her may do the same, 
In order to obtain a name 
And to perpetuate their fame. 

Among the household goods of William Bourne was a 
"Grandfather Clock," a sketch of which is given below: 

THE OLD BOURNE CLOCK 
This clock was brought to what is now Grayson county, 
about the year 1770. This was the first clock that was 
brought to this upper part of the New River Valley and 
was the property of William Bourne and his wife, Rosa 
Jones. After the death of William Bourne and his wife 
(1836) it passed into the hands of Stephen Bourne, their 
son; from him to his son, Martin Bourne; from him to 
his son, Montgomery Bourne; from him to Benj. Floyd 
Nuckolls, great grandson of William Bourne and wife, 
and from him to Ruth Nuckolls Johnston, Cleveland, 
Tenn. The clock is running and keeping correct time, 
in this the year of 1913. It is all made of the best material, 
and the case and works show the ingenuity and taste 
of an honest workman. 

The case of the clock is made of mahogany, and stands 
eight feet, three inches from the floor to the tip of the 
central brass knob on top of the clock. The trimmings are 



22 Pioneer Settlers 

of brass, and there are rows of different colored blocks 
of wood inlaid around the case. 

The wheels and pendulum are of brass, and the weights 
are cast iron. It is an eight-day clock, and is wound with 
a brass key. 

There is no date on the clock but it was brought to 
Grayson county about the year 1770. The following is 
copied from a card that was tacked inside the case when 
the clock arrived in Grayson.: 

Common House Clocks, Table Spring Clocks. Time Pieces of 
different Conftructions. 

Made By 
AARON WILLARD 
Boston 
Directions for fitting up the clock: 

Firft, plumb up the cafe and hang on the pendulum and weights 
obferving that the heavieft weight be put on the pulley marked 
"S". Wind up the lines on the barrels, taking care that they run 
regularly in the grooves, then put the pendulum in motion. 
To make it go faster, screw the pendulum up; slower, screw down. 

On the face of the clock is the following: 

Warranted for 
MR. BENJN. STETSON. 

YARON WILLARD, 
Boston. 

The clock is now in the possession of Ruth Frances 
Nuckolls Johnston, who was named "Frances" for her 
great-grandmother, Frances Bourne. 

She is the fifth generation from William Bourne and 
she says this old clock, which must be one hundred and 
fifty years old, is the best time-keeper in the house. 

At the time William Bourne settled here, there were 
no mills nearer than over the Blue Ridge in North Carolina, 
at the foot of the mountain, then called "Over in the 



Grayson County, Va. 23 

Hollow." The grain to be ground for bread had to be 
carried in sacks on horses. There was only a bridle path 
across New River and the mountain — frequently on the 
old Indian trails. Wm. Bourne would make these trips with 
his negro men, each with a sack of grain to have ground 
for bread (mostly corn.) At one time, on their return 
from the mill, one man caught his sack of flour against 
a limb near the path on the mountain, tore the sack, 
and spilled some flour. From that circumstance, the place 
was called Flour Gap. It still bears that name. It is 
near the crossing of the Blue Ridge at Pipers Gap. For 
years the Flour Gap was the only place for crossing the 
Blue Ridge. The first road across that part of the Ridge 
was at this place; trimmed out in a straight course up 
and down the mountains. 

These trips to the mill had to be made in the fall of 
the year; and, at one time, when the men had gone, 
there fell a deep snow, and kept them longer than usual, 
and the family was without something to eat. Rosa 
Bourne got up early one morning, called a negro woman, 
and said to her, "We must hunt for something to eat." 
They took the rifle gun and butcher knife, and started 
out; and soon found a large deer, sleeping in the snow 
under a fallen tree top. Rosa raised her gun and fired; 
the deer jumped up, struck its head against a limb, and 
broke its neck. She, with the negro woman, ran with the 
butcher knife and cut the deer's throat, dragged him to 
the house on the snow, and the family lived on venison 
and hominy until the men returned with meal and flour. 
In that day, all the clothing was made out of wool, cot- 
ton and flax. Leather was tanned in a big trough, for shoes 
and moccasins; nails, hinges, and all tools were made in 
blacksmith shops. At one time, William Bourne, when he 
was a member of the Legislature in Richmond, went down 
in a wagon loaded with fur skins and sold them. A negro 



24 Pioneer Settlers 

woman and little girl were put on the block for sale; 
he bought them, paid for them, and sent them back home 
in the wagon. The woman's name was Granny Beck. 
The girl's name was Aimy. I have heard Aimy say that 
she and her mother were sent for one evening to go and 
stay all night with a woman. Sometime after dark, 
someone came to the door and called. This woman told 
her to open the door; she did so, and two men came in 
and caught her and her mother, tied cloths over their 
mouths, carried them off and put them in a ship, and 
brought them over the ocean. They came from Africa 
and proved to be very valuable servants. 

Granny Beck, after she came here, took charge of the 
cattle and stock out on the range; salted and watched 
after them. She could not count the number, but if one 
of them were missing she could tell it. She would describe 
its colour or its size, etc., and would hunt until she 
found it. 

Aimy was the house girl, waited on her master and 
mistress as long as they lived, and was very much attached 
to all the family. 

William Bourne, in his last will stated that "Aimy has 
been a faithful, good servant, and has raised for me 18 
children. She is not to be sold or taken in, in the divide. ' ' 
With his children, she should be free to go where she 
pleased. She came to Old Town (then Grayson C. H.), 
and lived with Mrs. Mary Dickenson. Mis. Dickenson 
owned "Mourning," one of the 18 children. After Mrs. 
Dickenson's death, Aimy went to Elk Creek to my grand- 
mother, Frances Hale, who owned "Winny", who was 
also one of the 18 children. Aimy died there, and is 
buried in the Hale family cemetery. 

First daughter. Patience Bourne, married Johnathan 
Thomas; First son, Stephen, married Rebecca Perkins, 
daughter of Timothy Perkins and wife Miss Anderson. 




NUCKOLLS SPRINGS 
fLithiated !odo-bromo, Arsenic Water) Discovered by B. F. Nuckolls in 1886 



Grayson County, Va. 26 

Stephen lived on North Fork (now Creston), Ashe county, 
N C. Second son, William Thomas, married Mary 
Pugh; one son, Stephen lived on Wilson Creek, aftenvard 
moved west. William Thomas and Mary Pugh had live 
daughters: 

Ann, married Mr. Reeves; Susan, married Enoch Cox; 
Ludema married Alexander Phipps (See Phipps family); 
Amelia married Andrew Young of Wilson; sons: 
Dr S E. Young, Baywood, Va.; Dr. Robey Young, of 
Florida; Floyd Young, of Wilson; one daughter married 
Mr. Jones, of Ashe county, N. C. ^ t u 4-v, 

Randolph and Johnathan were sons of Johnathan 
Thomas and wife. Patience Bourne. Randolph first settled 
on Bridle Creek, Va. Johnathan settled on Fox Creek, Va., 
married Miss Grabill. The daughters of Johnathan 
Thomas and wife. Patience Bourne, were Mary, Ehzabeth, 
Rosa. Mary married Robert Pugh, lived on Wilson; 
had one daughter, Rosa, who marred Calvm Senter; 
one daughter married Mr. Reeves. One son, Stephen 
Pugh, who lived on Wilson. 

Ehzabeth Thomas married Samuel Cox and lived on 
Bridle Creek. (See Cox family.) Rosa B. mamed 
Shadrach Greer; they lived on Wilson Creek, Va., 

Milly Bourne married Jessee McKinney, settled on 
Arrat River, near Mt Airy, N. C. First son, William 
McKinney, remained at the old home near Buffalo Shoals, 

Arrat River, N. C. 

Second son, Winston, married Miss Fulton; sons: 

Jessie and Cleveland. 

Third son, Willis, married Miss Mollie Hale, daughter 
of Eli C. Hale and wife, Miss Frances Scott, of Elk Creek, 
Va., no issue. One daughter, Miss Polly McKinney, 
died single; one daughter, Ada, manned. 



^^ Pioneer Settlers 

BlaiS Irr' TT"^ ^'^ ^^^^' «^^ of Thomas 
ScoSand "" ^"'""^- «^^ ^--^or. came from 

John Blair and his family were quite prominent in thP 
^velopment and improvement of this%ount.^ ^Mr' 
Blair was for several years a Representative inThe V^r 
ginia legislature. One of his old negro slavl! , 1h f 
frequently, '^Old Massa .one to'^'Il^T :: tile 

tak^n "[o'oTff: ^'' ''■'^'''^"" ^h^" the vote was 
Tl n ^ f *^^ ''o^^ty of Carroll from Gravson 

e^etL^^lerB^^^^^^ TT/'' ""' ^^^ county, aX^ 
eiectea over Blair. A slander suit was brought by John 
Carl or Carroll, as he claimed to be, and John Bl^wrote 
the following, which he called an "Epistle," and hTdt 
printed as it appears below: * 

The Epistle General-^of John Blair 

TntxxT r>. ^^d^catory to David McComes, Esqr. 

in my diocess, "I magnify" mfoffTee"; T^T'^^ Z'T"'"' 
Esqr. intended for the benifit 7the oommunly. °'"' '"=°°"^' 

In Greenville, in the street 

When there we last did meet 

How I progress'd in rhimes you enquir'd' 

As 1 then was not well 

And did not stand to tell 

These many answers, what you then desired. 

I rhym'd as I design'd 

And still kept the same mind 

Not to have Popery to rule our nation; 

i thought we'd incur blame 

If a Popish great name 

Should be vaunted in our generation. 



Grayson County, Va. 27 

Charles Carrol was so great 

With such lordly estate, 

No title the United States carried 

That was high enough styl'd. 

To match with his grand child, 

She was sent to England to get married. 

She was handsome and young 

And was high fam'd among 

The celebrated belles of our nation; 

But our democrat plan, 

Afforded not a man 

That was high enough styl'd for her station. 

So she yielded her hand 

To a Lord in England; 

The Lord Marquis of Wellesly in splendor ;t 

Third rank next to the King, 

Such high honors would bring 

That her heart she resolved to surrender. 

He was ugly and old, 

But high titles and gold 

Does with Catholic cure all defection; 

For so their practice tells. 

Gold can save them from hell. 

And for heaven insure their election. 

Charles Carroll's brother John, 

Was to England sent on.* 

He went there for to get consecrated 

Implicit faith to fit 

He became Jesuit. 

An order democrats always hated. 

Carroll's were noble blood 

That cross'd the briney flood, 

When, in England King Charles rul'd the nation; 



tSaid to be 65 years old. 

*See Libera, Encyclopedia under title Carroll. 



28 Pioneer Settlers 

He money for to gain. 

For to help conquer Spain, 

Sold to Papists Maryland plantation, t 

Some twelve hundred came o'er, 

Under Lord Baltimore, 

And a Catholic coloney planted 

Without faith or hope, 

But what came from the Pope. 

In the land, by King Charles to them granted. 

Of whom Carrolls came, 

Rais'd in opulent fame. 

Till the colonies form'd a new notion, 

That a government free, 

Uncontroll'd beyond sea. 

They would have on this side of the ocean. 

Charles Carroll for some cause, 

Perhaps to gain applause. 

In government, to advance his station; 

Or permanently fix 

All rule by Catholics, 

In this our North American nation. 

A declaration sign'd 

Which shew'd he had a mind, 

From the crown of Great Britain to sever; 

But from everything shown. 

Was it not for his own 

Roman Catholic views for to favor? 

John a vicar was made. 

Which was the highest grade 

That could be raised by Popish promotion; 

With supreme sovereign sway. 

In directing the way 

Of Catholics this side of the ocean. 

IThe early settlements of the colonies were called plantations. 



Grayson County, Va. 29 

The Pope and Cardinals, 

So general history tells, 

Claim rule over all in earth and heaven; 

What real true democrat, 

Has faith to believe that, 

Such despotic rule Christ would have given? 

When Christ himself has said, 
There's no superior grade 
No Rabbi to rule over another; 
But Christ, master of all, 
None else is great or small 
But evry one equal a brother.* 

Over bodey and soul. 
They claim to have control 
Assuming to themselves power given, 
That for money in their hand. 
They have sovereign command, 
To consign souls to hell or to heaven. 

Have we not cause to fear, 

From the news far and near. 

Of the Pope's power gaining assendance? 

May it not as before. 

So increase more and more. 

Till it overwhelms all independence? 

Do we not hear again 

In France like unto Spain, 

The freedom of conscience is prevented; 

By that old popish plan, 

Form'd to rule over man, 

By the Devil, thro' priestcraft invented.! 



•Mathew 23rd and 8th. . , . _, . . „ . d»*«- 

tit is not my design to make individuos aspersions but as Chrwt callea feter 
Satin, which is an adversary— the prince of hell, or the devil, when he used duisim- 
ulation. Mathew 16 and 23 and as he must have been moved by the devil when ho 
swore a lie. Mathew 26 and 72 and again when he dissembled and carried away the 
people from uprightness and the truths of the gospel. Gal. 2 and Uth to 15th doM it 
hot appear that if Peter was the church's foundation, when the devil carried him away 
the church must have fallen at least without foundation for when ho carried away, 
ho was not there, so he must have been gone. 



30 Pioneer Settlers 

If the ratio holds on 

As for twelve months it's gone, 

Of the increase of popish ascendance. 

Here as in France and Spain, 

Nothing free will remain 

In a century, but on pope dependance. 

Just listen from New York, 

How the priest are at work. 

And from Canada coming to aid them? 

To serve their subtile turn, 

All the Bibles they burn 

The donations that charity made them? 

That time fault reached a pope 
Proved an end to their scope 
Of infallible sovereign dictation, 
And prov'd their scheme absurd 
Of pretending Christ's word 
Ordained such esseatial to salvation. 

Else pope Gregory was right. 

And pleasing in God's sight. 

When hearing King Charles tolerated 

Without any restraints 

The destruction of Saints, 

Till Protestants were exterminated.* 

When the Prodestants blood, 

Flow'd on the earth like a flood, 

The Pope's joy burst out in acclamation; 

And to show his joy more, 

Caused his cannons to roar. 

And held mass to invoke consecration. 

Back to Attilla go,1[ 

General history will show 

As pace for ten cent'ries and longer 

The popes tyranic reign'd 

Absolute, till restrained 

By physical force that was stronger. 

•Se« Buck's Theology under title "Persecution in France." 
^AttiUa the first King crowned by the Pope. 



Grayson County, Va. 31 

How does rule absolute 

With democracy suit? 

Is it not a complete solecism 

To say democracy 

Can with tyrants agree 

What I a democratic despotism 1 

Now I cannot agree 

Acquiescent to see 

A man raised under popish direction, 

Take such sway in our land, 

As to boast, he can stand 

To defy other men in election. 

When report of his fame 

From Lynchburg, whence he came. 

Lacks much of what is good reputation, 

So I think the best way 

Whare he is let him stay 

Least we partake of his degradation. 

If Squire Lindsey swore true. 
And captain Worrell too* 



♦Capt. Jesse P. Worrell's deposition before commissioners appointed by Grayson 
court was as follows: 

Question by John Blair — what do you know of John Carroll, having a ticket of 
your vote at the last Presidential election at Baskerville precinct'? 

Ans. I wrote my name on a ticket, on the morning of the Presidential election, 
and gave it to Col. Carrol, who remarked that he (Col. Carrol) would take the ticket 
to the election, and see if it would not do, but observed that he did not think it would 
be legal. Jesse P. Worrell. 

William Lindsay, after being duly sworn deposeth and saith: 

Question by John Blair — what do you know of John Carrol having a ticket of 
Jessee P. Worrell vote at the last presidential election? 

Answer. Col. Carrol asked me on the day of the Presidential election, previous to 
the commencement of the election if a vote could be taken by a man sending his ticket, 
and stated that Jessee Worrell had sent his to the election. I told him that the vote 
could not be legally taken in that way. After the commencement of the election, I 
heard Jessee P. Worrell's vote cried; how it came into the sheriff's hands I know not. 
The vote was challenged, an eraced from the poll book. Question by same — was Col. 
Carrol a commissioner to superintend the election at that place? Ans. He was. 

William Lindsey. 

Thomas Blair after being duly sworn deposeth and saith; 

Question by John Blair — was you the sheriff that conducted the election at the 
Baskerville precinct? Ans. I was. . 

Question by the same — was Jesse P. Worrell's ticket handed to you and if so by 
whom? Ans. It was handed to me, and my impression is that it was handed to me by 
Col. Carrol; and I cried it and it was entered on the poll book; and I cried no vote but 
what was handed to me by the Commissioners or voters; and after the vote was cried 
and entered, it was objected to by Mitchell, eraced off the poll book. 

Thomas Blair. 



32 Pioneer Settlers 

And Thomas Blairs oath with theirs be respected; 

As commissioners took. 

And wrote down in a book, 

As by Grayson court record directed. 

What of it can you make, 

But his oath did he break. 

When he swore he'd have all votes prevented; 

Except legally brought 

Yet illegal he thought 

Was a vote he himself had presented? 

What those three did dispose 

Was the truth to disclose. 

That at the presidential election 

After kissing the book, 

To swear none should be took. 

But votes legal under his inspection? 

Did John Carroll there present, 

A ticket by him sent, 

Illegal as he himself said he thought it; 

Being doubtly apprised, 

By his council advised, 

Should evince that he could not have forgot it. 

What John (called) Carrol tho't. 

Can you think he forgot. 

If leaving Captain Worrell's he thought it, 

When he started to go 

To Baskerville's, we know; 

On the road he could hardly forget it. 

If so when he got there. 

Oath of office to swear, 

He consulted Squire Lindsey about it; 

Then what did he thare do 

But swore what proved not true 

Can reason be tortured to doubt it? 



Grayson County, Va. 33 

Illegal, then he brought 

A ticket so he thought, 

With him from Captain Worrell that morning; 

Contrary v^e find both. 

To sacredness of oath. 

And contrary to Squire Lindseys warning. 

Did he then violate 

His oath unto the state? 

Willfully and corrupt did he break it, 

If such should appear plain. 

Why trust his oath again? 

What more then would prevent him to break it? 

Then how would John Carrol stand; 

In a civilized land, 

Where truth and real honor is regarded? 

Whose end to enjoy, 

Disdained vice to employ. 

Nor wonld have else but virtue rewarded. 

Would it not be a shame 

To evry voter's name. 

If it was proved to a demonstration. 

That the representative. 

Made by the votes they give, 

Maintained such — a **** reputation? 

John Carl's fame to know. 

Just back to Lynchburg go. 

To men who are with him well acquainted 

Go there when your're amind. 

His character you'll find 

In glowing colors well represented. 

Go there when you think fit. 

His character you'll get 

As well as it can be given by men; 

You need not further go 

Than to Jacob Rumbough, 

John R. D. Payne and David R. Lyman. 



34 Pioneer Settlers 

There's a lawyer named Brown, 

Near the road you go down 

To Lynchburg near Staunton you'll find him, 

Who can tell you Carl's fame, 

Ere he altered his name, 

And the character he left behind him. 

Thare's a man whom we know 

Oft to Lynchburg doth go, 

By the name of Andrew Jackson Durnal, 

Who could tell if he would, 

That Carl's fame there was good. 

Or the reverse if was infernal. 

Creed Nuckolls could relate, 

What men generally state, 

When hearing Grayson was represented 

By a man of such fame 

As follows John Carl's name. 

By men of old best with him acquainted. 

Friel Nuckolls, too as well 

As Creed the same could tell. 

From trav'ling to Lynchburg and thro' it, 

His chance was just the same. 

To hear of John Carl's fame. 

From men who in former times well knew it. 

Squire James Waugh you all know. 

Has to Lynchburg to go. 

To get goods to suit his ocupation: 

He passing to and fro, 

Did hear as much for to show 

How John Carl's fame would suit Legislation. 

On my rights to intrude, 

By John Carrol I'm suad; 

By him who is not found in our nation; 

Just because that foresooth, 

I did publish the truth, 

That voters might have due information. 



Grayson County, Va. 85 

Can there be any ground, 

Till a plaintiff is found, 

For a verdict in any court given 

Was the like ever known. 

Or in all history shown 

On record in court under Heaven? 

What is life worth to me 

To value property 

If from freedom of speech I must lose it? 

If my country says so, 

n God's mame let it go; 

For freedom of speech I'd rather choose it. 

Though I yield in God's name, 

It clears no one of shame; 

For in his great day of retribution, 

When he displays his might. 

He will bring all things right 

For in his plans he'll have no confusion. 

Read for that freedom took, 

For it in history look, 

Of that country from which Carl migrated; 

You'll see thousands of lives. 

Children husbands and wives. 

Lost for it in that history related. 

Then why should I be slack, 

And faintly fly the track, 

That martyrdom had marked for example; 

No! I will not give back. 

But stand up to the rack 

Though my country should my fodder trample. 

I would have my rhimes seen 

Ostensively to mean, 

To keep our realm from popery prevaded; 

That pure Democracy, 

Might keep our concience free 

From crouching under despots degraded. 



36 Pioneer Settlers 

In a canvass speech made, 

John call'd Carrol has said, 

As to God, and the people was prating. 

That he'd wish for to be 

Governed by popery, 

For this was the purport of his saying. 

Now who among you all, 

Could so wish for to fall. 

Under control of one man's dominion; 

Who would doom you to hell 

If you pleased him not well. 

Can Demo's entertain such an opinion. 

A despot for to find 

Of most tyranic mind 

Need we pass by the pope for to find him; 

Who claims sovreign control 

Over bodey and soul 

Wheres the true democrat who'd thus mind him. 

Before he'd hazzard all. 

For to stand or to fall; 

Would he not hazzard his blood and treasure; 

Before it should be said, 

He, himself would degrade 

To crouch into such vassal-like measure. 

On the hypothesis. 

That CARROL god's mouth did kiss, 

To swear he'd odject all votes not lawful; 

Then poll a vote he brought. 

As unlawful he thought 

To good concience, does not it look awful? 

While English language meant 

To define represent. 

As likeness of the thing represented: 

And voters such to see 

I'd like they'd show me 

How votes such is from shame prevented? 

(The Bible being God'a word 2nd Thessalonians, 2ad and 8th must It not proceed 
from his mouth: 




ELIZABETH BLAIR WAUGH 
Daughter of John Blair and wife, Charity Bourne, and wife of James Waugh 



Grayson County, Va. 87 



If such vice we promote, 

Are we not a scape goat,t 

Bearing sins of him who represented us; 

Now you can by your vote, 

From that most grevious tote, 

From that infamous shame may prevent us. 

I set out with intent 

The Popes power to prevent, 

To that end I would spend and be spended. 

My course looks dredful hard, 

But I look for reward, 

Perhaps not till all labors are ended, 

I mean to do my best. 

The Pope's power to arrest. 

That free concience may be tolerated; 

And pure Democracy 

Make our whole country free, 

With all despotic rules abrogated. 

To sacrifice my all 

Or obey virtues call, 

I have set my determed resolution. 

Determed not to draw back 

Or to fly virtues track. 

What ere the result in conclusion. 

I'm resolved full intent, 

For to spend and to be spent. 

If circumstances should so require 

Not to fly virtues track, 

Nor dastardly look back. 

If God helps me: not even through fire. 

This rule I embraced young, 
To view all things as dung.* 



WieviticuB 16th and 20th. 
*Pbilipians, 3rd and 8th. 



38 Grayson County, Va. 

Great Jefferson did see, ' 

God made man to be free, 

And so pen'd in our constitution; 

Inviolate I'm bent, 

To keep that instrument; 

And, so set my determ'd resolution. 

First our grand bill of right. 

In which my soul delights, 

Formed by democratic resolution; 

Afterwards was adjoin'd 

And so fitley combin'd. 

In our great glorified constitutbn. 

So come woe, or come weal. 

To that poll I'd appeal; 

Not to violate it in a fraction. 

So come peace or come war 

Its my polar star. 

And the magnet of my souls attraction. 

As with tears in my eyes, 

I solmnly advise 

My country not to be represented, 

By a man of such fame. 

That might load us with shame, 

By your votes you might keep such prevented. 

When Carl, to our land came. 

Did he record his name. 

And his oath for his naturalization; 

In Amelia county 

May you that record see, 

The first name gave himself in our nation. 

Was not that still his name. 

Till to Lynchburg he came 

To fix it on his sign to shew it; 

Over his door to tell, 

He had goods there to sell. 

That all wishing to purchase might know it. 



Pioneer Settlers 89 

That to prevent what duty should require; 
To desert that rule now 
Would be like the washed sow, 
Returning to wallow in the mire.^ 

Far as with Christ I list, 

That far bound to persist 

To have honor and truth propigated, 

I'll fall short as a saint 

If from duty I'd faint. 

In what Christ by example dictated. 

So at hazzard I'll try, 

With duty to comply; 

Such as Christ by example assigned me; 

Nor kick against the pricks — 

God, in concience did fix; 

Though my country in penalties bind me. 

As God made man's soul free, 

No distinction there to be. _ ^ 

As by God's word in Scryptures we find it, 

Whoever would be great. 

Or attain to that state. 

Must serve all as Christ's word has enjomed it. 

So real democrats pure. 

Cannot despots endure. 

Nor the dupes under popish dominion; 

But as God made them free; 

They're determ'd so to be. 

This is Democrat, John Blair's opinion. 

He'd have no man called great. 

Either in Church or state— 

'Till the people discover'd his merits; 

And declare by their voice, 

They had made them their choice, 

Regarding his democratic spirit. 

52nd Peter 2nd and 22nd. 
Mathew 23d 8. 12 h verses. 



40 Pioneer Settlers 

Where writings of all kinds, 

That name he still sign'd 

Till it got into bad reputation; 

When he thought the best way. 

There no longer to stay, 

He would change both his name and his station. 

So to Grayson he came 

When he changed his name, 

And ere his character was detected; 

By a rare circumstance t 

It so happened by chance 

That a delegate he got elected. 

Was John Carl drunk or not. 

When a drunkard he fought. 

Who marked him in his right ear by biting; 

Which is but an effect, 

Temperance men might expect, 

When two drunkards like dogs gets to fighting. 

Perhaps God so design'd. 

As Carl was hard to find. 

By the mame that was first given to him; 

That as he had mark'd Cain, 

He'd mark Carl now again, 

That when he changed his name all might know him. 

Though an unpleasant task 

The question I must ask. 

Why William Parks, withdrew a petition; 

Or at least documents 

To maintain its contents, 

That there existed more than suspicion. 

That an oath Carl did take, 

He did corruptly break 

To defeat Harrison, in election; 

My aim now is to see 

Whether so it can be. 

That Parks' object was for Carl's protection. 

tMany candidates near the middle and the upper end of the county, and in the 
extreme lower end prejudice and amulation prevailed. 




Q H- 



^ — 

J 3 



Grayson County, Va. 41 

If the affirmative, 

To my problems you give, 

On reflection what will you make of it; 

But had I such a mind, 

As holily inclin'd 

As one had Jeremiab the prophet. 

I'd cry Ob! that my head 

Were waters to be shed, 

From my eyes in fountains of tears flowing; 

That in spirit contrite, 

I might weep day and night, 

In grief from my people to be going. 

That in the wilderness 

I'd find a lodging place. 

Of way-faring men with spirits greater,* 

Than basley to decend 

So accomplish their end, 

To select and combine with a traitor. 

Recolect as you go. 

Observation will show, 

Scarsce a word positive I have stated 

But all hypothetic, 

Or as problematic, 

A proviso is still indicateu. 

THE APPENDIX 

I am now sued again, 

To augment loss and pain. 



•See Jeremiah, chap. 9th. 

(Except relating to Popery against which I go might and main. 

N. B. I was raised a Presbyterian and learned the shorter catechism the first 
question is, Q. What is the chief end of man? 

Ans. To glorify God, and enjoy him forever. Now I cannot see any better 
way for me to glorify God than to subject all my means, mental, and pecuniary to 
prevent his attributes, — -truth and candor, from being as it were trodden down, on 
which to establish the glory of perfedy, fraud and falsehood. 

JOHN BLAIR. 
Wytheville December 8th 1846 



42 Pioneer Settlers 

It is not more than I had expected; 

It is not less or more 

Than I looked for before, 

Our delegate was last time elected. 

Hard through life I have wro't, 

To procure what I have got, 

It peirces to the 'marrow' to lose itt 

If my country says so 

In God's name let it go. 

Rather than serve mamon I'd so choose it.* 

If my treatis a'nt true, 

Should not all concern'd sue. 

If true, how will Carroll's voter's bear it; 

If thej' cant bear truth's test 

But, to hide it think best. 

They can pull it down cut smear and tear it. 

As some has done before, 

They can still do so more, 

From such might not the like be expected. 

Admitting that they knew, 

My treatis to be true 

And still by their vote keep him elected. 

If they cant bear the light, 

That brings truth to their sight 

Is it not as Christ once did make mention ;t 

That darkness they have chose. 

Least the light should disclose, 

"Evil deeds" they had in their intention. 

If such wretches be found, 
To cast truth to the ground. 
Phoenix like t'will rise resusitatedH 
As, from ashes, again 

tHebrews 4th and 12th. 

•Mathew the 6th and 24th. 

tJohn 3rd and 19th. 

ilPhoenix is imagioned with the Arabians a bird to live 500 years, only one at a 
time, then, build a nest of combustable which the sun kindles and burns it ; out of 
the ashes of which a new phoenix survives, so, always keeps a phoenix. 



Grayson County, Va. 43 

It, new life will sustain. 

Truth, must not be thus annihilated. 

What has Grayson come to 

Or might not Carroll do, 

If a delegate they have elected; 

Who too true for a joke, 

His oath corruptly broke, 

From them what might not then be expected. 

As I was sued before, 

Let me now be sued more, 

All I have wrote; if I do not maintain it; 

Then, 'so God do to me.' 

'And more' and let it be 

All I'm sued for, let them that sues gain it. 

Why did our delegate, 

Until August court wait 

To indite me for a demonstration 

Against granting him leave; 

From the clerk to receive 

Our documents just at his discretion. 

Least, as he did before. 

He might, still do so more 

With forgeries, give then a wrong direction; 

With deceit, and with fraud 

Circulate them abroad; 

Aiming by such to gain his election. 

Where Paul, popery defines. 

Wrought by satin with 'signs 

Decievableness and lying wonder,' 

By pontific control. 

Over bodey and soul 

Kept by popes sovereign dictation under. 

To Thesolonians turn, 
There this truth for to learn 

Ist Kings 2nd and 23rd Ruth first and 17tb. 



44 Pioneer Settlers 

Second book, second chapter you'll find it, 

How popes power is portrayed, 

By 'wondors' as Paul said 

By signs lying as satin design'd it; 

Should this not satisfy, 

Revelations then try, 

Seventeenth, saint John corroborated; 

Rome a figure, he made§ 

Of Babylon portray'd. 

The spiritual whordom God hated. 

As Luther once did say 

I'm resolv'd the same way, 

'Though devils, thick as tiles may beset me;'* 

Like him lawfully called. 

And like him sore enthrol'd 

In dificulties my truths do get me 

Is a sentance, or word 

Of this false and absurd; 

Or with truth and propriety clashes; 

My clothes I will not rent, 

But my heart, and repent t 

As envelop'd in sac-cloth and ashes, t 

Does it or not shew plain? 

That I am sued again. 

For countenance in our legislature; 

For to make it appear 

Like this treatis was near 

Efusions of malignant nature. 

For if members should view. 

My treatis to be true. 

Which one of nice feelings would abide him; 

In social company. 

And conversation free. 

In good fellowship to sit beside him. 

^Observe the 7 hills called mountains, on which Rome stood; and now partly 
stands. Rome, was 50 miles round it; Babylon was 60. Worcester's Gazeteer. 
♦Luthers commentarys page 10. 
tJoel 2nd and 13th. 
lEster 4 and 13. 



Grayson County, Va. 45 

Had we now the same way; 

As in Josiah's day; 

Of expressing our mortification; 

Might we not our clothes tare§ 

Till our bodeys were bare, 

When we behold our great degradation. 

A papist may perplex 

And by law suets sore vex 

And with costs, and fatigue, sore oppress me; 

Yet a promise I've got. 

He also wrote the inscriptions for the tombstones of 
William Bourne and his wife, Rosa Jones. They were 
given on a preceding page. 

John Blair and wife, Charity Bourne, lived at Blair's 
Forge, near what is now Blair Depot, Carroll county, Va. 

From this union there were three sons and six daughters: 

First son, Thomas Blair, married Sally Patton; one 
son, John Blair, was killed by a slide in a mill race on 
Chestnut Creek; one daughter, Catherine, first married 
James Leonard, second married John Roberts, son of 
Thompson Roberts and wife, Seraphina Currin. 

A. Sidney Blair, youngest son of John Blair and wife, 
Charity Bourne, married Mildred James, sister to Emeline 
James, who married L. D. Blair. Sidney Blair settled 
first at the old Blair Forge, on Chestnut Creek; afterwards 
bought the farm at Hale's Ferry from William B. Hale, 
and since that time it has been known as Blair's Ferry 
on New River, near Fries and Washington Cotton Mills. 
To A. S. Blair and wife were bom three children; two died 
in infancy. One daughter, Rosa B. was drowned in the 
dam at the old Blair Forge. She, with her nurse, was 
playing near the dam, and saw some flowers blooming near 
the water, and in her effort to get the flowers, fell into 

22nd Chronidea 34th and 27th a good king in Israel. 



46 Pioneer Settlers 

the water and was drowned before she could be recov- 
ered. There is a memorial window in the Methodist 
Church at Fries, put in by Mr. Blair and his wife, in 
memory of themselves and their children. They were 
both members of the Methodist Church, South. 

There were six daughters bom to John Blair and his 
wife, Charity Bourne: Polly, Rosa Bourne, Rebecca, 
Celia, Elizabeth, and Lucinda. 

Polly Blair lived to be quite old, never married; Rosa 
B. married John Hale, son of William Hale and wife, 
Lucy Stone, of Elk Creek. They lived on Rock Creek 
and brought their farm up to a high state of cultivation. 
To them were born thirteen sons: Alfred, Warner, James, 
Lorenza D., Thomas B., William, Sidney, John, Stephen, 
and the names of the others I cannot give; some died 
young, but most of them lived to rear families in Grayson 
county. 

Rebecca Blair married William Stone. They settled 
on Chestnut Creek, cleared up and made a nice farm on 
part of the Blair lands. They had a large family: Sons, 
Hamilton, George, William, Thomas, Lorenzo Dow, 
John; daughters, Elizabeth, Jane, and Mary. 

William Stone, with his wife and all his children, 
sold out here and moved to Missouri. 

Celia Blair married Maj. Minitree Jones, Jr.; she was 
his second wife. They had one son and one daughter. 
Thomas B. Jones, who lives at the old Jones homestead 
at Mouth of Elk Creek on New River, is the son. 

Charity B. Jones, the daughter, married Mr. Delp, 
of Smyth county, Va. They had one son, Minitree Delp 
who married first Miss Blanch Dickenson, daughter of 
Col. John Dickenson. He settled on New River, after- 
ward moved west. 

Elizabeth Blair, fifth daughter of John Blair and Charity 
Bourne, married James Waugh, from Pennsylvania. 



Grayson County, Va. 47 

To them were born three sons; first, William Peaden, who 
married Miss Sallie L. Hale, daughter of Rev. Wiley D. 
Hale and wife, Miss Martha Mitchell. To Wm. Waugh and 
Sallie Hale were born one son, Emmett, who died young; 
and five daughters: first, Lenora, died young; second, 
Eugenia, also died young; Martha and Elizabeth (twins). 
Martha married Edwin A. Wolfe; two daughters, Gladys, 
Juanita; one son, Eugene. Elizabeth married Edward 
Reeves, son of George Reeves and wife, Caroline Thomas, 
of Jefferson, N. C. They lived in Jefferson a while, then 
bought a farm near Washington City. Mr. and Mrs. 
Reeves and Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe both own farms and live 
near Washington City. 

The third daughter of William P. Waugh, Laura, 
married Dr. J. H. Dunkley. They live in Roanoke, 
Va., and have had two children; one died in infancy, 
the other died when a few years old. The parents put 
a beautiful memorial window in memory of the child, 
Ruth Waugh Dunkley, in the Southern Methodist 
Church at Galax, Va. 

After the death of William P. Waugh's first wife (the 
mother of the above-named children), Mr. Waugh married 
Lelia Burt Nuckolls, daughter of William Swift Nuckolls 
and Susan B. Hale. From this union there was a son. 
Swift, and a daughter, Susan B. After the death of 
William Waugh, his widow sold the Waugh homestead 
at Old Town, and moved to Galax, Va., where she and 
her children now reside. 

William P. Waugh went out as a Confederate soldier 
in the first company from Grayson county — the "Dare 
Devil Company" — with Peyton N. Hale as captain. 
In the first battle of Manassas, Capt. Hale was killed, 
leading his company in a charge. Several of his men were 
killed and wounded. Among the number of wounded 
was William P. Waugh. He was shot through the thigh, 



48 Pioneer Settlers 

and the minnie ball lodged in the wound. In gathering 
up the wounded, he was found, but being so badly 
wounded it was thought there was no chance for him to 
live, so they left him for the night on the battle-field. 
During the night there came a shower of rain and wet him, 
and allayed his fever. He was found alive next morning 
and taken to the hospital, and finally his wound healed, 
and the bone grew together. Some time after he was 
brought home he had the ball taken out of his thigh. 
He was always lame, but lived for thirty years after the 
close of the war. He died a member of the Southern 
Methodist Church, and rests in peace. 

Capt. John B. Waugh, second son of James Waugh 
and wife, Elizabeth Blair, entered the Confederate army 
later than his brother. He was elected captain in the 
Sixty-first Regiment. His regiment was in the battle of 
Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga, Tenn. He continued in 
the war until the close and returned to Old Town, Va., 
and his father turned over his mercantile business to 
him. He continued in business there until the town of 
Galax commenced building, and he moved his stock of 
goods there, where he has been the leading merchant. 
The firm is now known as J. B. Waugh & Sons. 

In 1877 he was married to Miss Jennie Perkins, daughter 
of Johnson Perkins and wife, Catherine Johnson, of Helton, 
N. C. From this union there were three sons: Charles 
P., Dan Blair, Richard G. These sons are with him in 
the mercantile business at Galax at the present time. 

There was one daughter, Berta Carson, who was a 
bright, beautiful girl. She was educated at Mary Baldwin, 
Staunton, Va., and Hollins Institute. While at Hollins 
she contracted a cold, which resulted in tuberculosis, 
from which she suffered three years. And while her family 
tried every available cure she never recovered, but died 
in February, 1906, at the age of 22. She was buried in 




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o 

< 

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so 5 

Z i; 

K > 
O . 

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< a 

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a w 
o =: 

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Grayson County, Va. 49 

the cemetery at Old Town, Va. A beautiful tombstone 
of Mt. Airy granite with marble slab marks her resting 
place. 

Her mother is devoted to her memory, and keeps fresh 
flowers on her grave constantly. 

When young she joined the Methodist Church at Old 
Town and lived a devoted Christian life and she rests 
in peace. 

Her mother gave a communion set of sterling silver of 
six pieces, to the Methodist Church of Galax, in mem- 
ory of Berta. This communion set was presented 
through the missionary society, of which Berta was a 
member. 

James Waugh, Jr., son of James Waugh, died young. 
He was accidentally scalded with hot water, and died 
from the effects of it. 

James Waugh and wife, Elizabeth Blair, had three 
daughters: First daughter, Flora, married Dr. William 
R. Dufphey; they lived at Old Town, Va., had 
two daughters and one son. First daughter, Ella, 
married Dr. Benjamin S. Dobyns. They now own and 
live at the Oglesby farm, between Old Town and Galax, 
Va. They have one son, William ; two daughters : Alma and 
Ruth. One daughter, Aileen, died young, and the parents 
put a memorial window in the Methodist Church at Galax, 
Va. 

Josephine, second daughter of Dr. Dufphey, married 
James Witherow. He is a druggist in Galax, Va., and 
lives there. They have two sons, Fred and Eugene. 
One daughter died young and the parents put a window 
in the church in memory of her. 

These three children, in whose memory the windows 
were placed, are great-grand children of James Waugh. 
Although young, these little children had been taught 
to know and love the Christ who loves all children. 



50 Pioneer Settlers 

One little girl was particularly impressed with the picture 
of Christ as "The Good Shepherd," and loved to be told 
about him. 

Knowing the rough places on life's road, and that fierce 
storms^ often gather, "The Good Shepherd" gathered 
these "lambs" in his arms and carried them through the 
gates of Paradise, there to await the coming of their 
loved ones. 

Dr. Dufphey and wife, Flora Waugh, had one son, 
James, that died young. He was a bright boy, and his 
death was a sore affliction to the family. 

The third daughter of James and Elizabeth Waugh was 
Emma AmeKa Waugh; she died at Old Town, of diphtheria, 
when about ten years old. Mary, the second daughter 
of James Waugh and Elizabeth Blair, married Fields 
McMillan Young, son of Ezekiel Young and his wife, 
Evelina McMillan. They had two daughters: 

First daughter, Virginia Young, died of typhoid fever 
while attending school at SuUins College, Bristol, Tenn. 
Second daughter, Mattie, lives with her parents at 
Edgewater, on Wilson Creek, N. C. 
One son, James, died young; is buried at Old Town, Va. 
The youngest daughter of John Blair and wife, Charity 
Bourne, was Lucinda Blair. She married Thomas Howard; 
they had one son and one daughter. John B. Howard 
married Miss Kyle, daughter of Madison Kyle of Wood- 
lawn, Va. 

Mary B. Howard married Samuel Kyle, son of Madison 
Kyle. They had three sons and three daughters. Follow- 
ing is an account of the death of one of their children: 

"On Sunday the 20th, as she was returning from church 
at Woodlawn, Miss Stella Kyle was thrown from her horse 
and received injuries from which she died on Tuesday 
following. 



Grayson County, Va. 51 

"She and her cousin, Miss Mamie Houseman, were 
both mounted on a spirited saddle horse belonging to 
Mr. L. A. Houseman. The horse became ungovernable 
and Miss Houseman jumped off escaping almost unhurt 
while Miss Kyle was thrown on her head fracturing her 
skull and rendering her unconscious. She was carried 
home and Drs. Tipton and Robinson, were immediately 
summoned, but her life was despaired even at the first. 
She never rallied or regained consciousness. 

"She was thirteen years old and a daughter of Mr. 
and Mrs. Sam D. Kyle of Woodlawn. She was a bright 
girl and a favorite among her schoolmates. 

"She is survived by father, mother, three brothers and 

two sisters. 

" The remains were interred yesterday in the cemetery 
at Woodlawn near the school and church she had always 
attended." , 

Mrs. Lucinda Howard inherited from her fathers 
estate, the old homestead at the Blair Forge, with an 
interest in the Iron Ridge mineral land. This property 
passed down to John B. and Mary B. Howard; they 
sold it and bought good farms near Woodlawn, where 
they now live. 

Lorenzo Dow Blair married Miss Emeline James. 
They have two sons and three daughters. Their son, 
William, married Miss Martha Watson; their son, Lorenzo 
Dow, has several daughters; they live near Galax, Va. 
John Blair, son of Lorenzo Dow Blair, married Miss 
Queenie Lynthecum. They had one son, Walter Blair, 
who married Miss Laura E. Felts; issue: two sons. Ivy 
Earl, John Harold; two daughters, Hazel Claudine 
and Gladys Blair. 

Walter Blair is cashier of the First National Bank of 
Galax, Va., and lives in Galax. John Blair's daughter 
married Leander Felts. 



52 Pioneer Settlers 

Lorenzo Dow Blair and wife had three daughters: 
First, Elizabeth, married Rev. Phillip P. Kinzer. They 
had one child, who died in infancy. Elizabeth died, 
and Philip Kinzer married her younger sister, Emma 
Blair. They have a son, Sidney Blair Kinzer, who married 
Miss McKnight; they have two sons. S. B. Kinzer is 
in the hardware business in Galax, Va. 

The third daughter of Lorenzo Dow Blair married 
William Houseman. They live at Blair, Va., near the 
old Blair Forge, and have sons and daughters. Their 
first son, Lorenzo Houseman, married a daughter of 
Judge William Kyle; he is in the lumber business. The 
second son, Walter Houseman, married Miss Farmer, 
and went West. 

William Houseman's first daughter, Elizabeth E., 
married Thomas L. Felts. He is partner in the Baldwin- 
Felts Detective Agency, and is president of the First 
National Bank of Galax, Va. They have one son, Gordon 
Felts, and live at Blair, Va. Thomas Felts owns several 
farms near Galax, Va., and is a public-spirited man, 
and a great help to the community. 

Sallie Houseman, second daughter of William Houseman, 
married Mr. John James, of Yadkinville, N. C. They have 
two sons, and live in Galax, Va. Mr. James is a success- 
ful business man. 

Eugenia, third daughter of William Houseman, married 
Robert Eversole. They have one son, and live in Galax, 
Va. Mr. Eversole is editor of the Galax Post-Herald. 

Stephen Bourne married Patsy Mays, and lived on 
Knob Fork near his father's home. He cleared land and 
improved it until he had a valuable farm. They reared 
a family of five children, and he and his wife died on the 
same day, and were buried in the same grave on his farm. 

Following are given the ages of Stephen Bourne's 
children: 




KLl/.ABKIH THOMAS 
Daughter of Patience Bourne Thomas, and wife of Samuel Cos 
(See Cox Family) 



Grayson County, Va. 63 

Elizabeth Bourne was born June the 24th, 1802. Mar- 
ried James Dickey, Esq., son of Mathew Dickey and 
Rebecca Wiley, his wife (see Dickey family). 

Cynthia Bourne was born October 23, 1803; married 
Mr. Pugh; moved to Missouri; has a family there. 

Martin Bourne was born February 26th, 1806; married 
Sarah Smith, of Smyth county, Va. 

Matterson Bourne was born September 25th, 1808; died, 
March 2nd, in the year of our Lord, 1826; age seventeen 
years, five months, and seven d;'ys. 

William Bourne, Jr., bom M ly 12th, 1810; married 
Margaret Scott, of Smyth count y, Va. ; three daughters 
and two sons. 

Nancy Bourne, bom Sept. 17th, 1818; married Spencer 
James, of Smyth county, Va.; three sons. Dr. Ezekiel, 
Friel, and Stephen. 

Martin Bourne and wife. Miss Sallie Smith, had one 
son, Montgomery Bourne, who married Miss Olive Hale, 
of Elk Creek, Va. ; they had sons and daughters. 

His first daughter, Talitha B., first married Tivis Hale; 
two daughters, Amelia and Sallie; the second time, 
Talitha B. married Charles Hale; two daughters: Flora 
and Ella Hale. 

Jane B., the second daughter, married John P. Byi"d; 
had sons and a daughter, Sallie, who married John Welch; 
Uve at Summerfield, N. C. 

Floranza B., third daughter, married Johnston Bourne; 
moved to Texas. 

Cynthia, the fourth daughter, married Joseph Phipps, 
of Saddle Creek, Va. 

The fifth daughter, Julia Ann Bourne, married Carson' 
Andis, and lives at the old homestead; no issue. 

The sixth daughter Amanda, married first, Lockett 
Cooper; second time, Alexander McMillan. 



54 Pioneer Settlers 

William Bourne (3), son of Stephen Bourne, married 
Margaret Scott, daughter of William Scott and wife, 
Miss Elizabeth Porter. Two sons: Andrew, died in Con- 
federate war, single; John A. Bourne married Mrs. Jane 
Gose; no issue. Three daughters: Elizabeth, married 
Rufus Perkins; one son. Rev. J. L. M. Perkins, of Holston 
Conference. Matilda married Mr. Spraker; Cynthia 
married John Foster. After the death of William Bourne, 
his widow, Margaret Bourne, married David Gose. 

Mary Bourne married Martin Dickenson and lived at 
Grayson, C. H., now Old Town, Va. Their children 
were: three sons, James, John and William; daughters: 
Charlotte, Jestena, Jane, Rosamond B., Matilda and 
Elizabeth Caroline. 

James Dickenson married Miss Julia Thurmon; settled 
on New River, afterward moved lo Mississippi. James 
Dickenson was murdered in his home by Federal soldiers 
during the war. Had one son, Martin, who died single; 
three daughters: Sallie, Mary and Amelia. Sallie married 
Hugh Gwin; Mary married Richard Gwin, and Amelia 
married Thomas Gwin, all three sons of Richard Gwin, 
Si., and wife. Miss Elizabeth Hunt, of Elkin, N. C. 

Hugh Gwin was principal of a school in Mississippi; 
died there; no issue. His wife, Sallie D., married the 
second time, Hugh Wright; had one daughter, Julia Wright, 

Richard Gwin, who married Mary Dickenson, lived at 
Elki.1, N. C, one of the owners of the Elkin Cotton Mills.. 
They had two sons; Charles G., married Miss Bettie 
Perkins, of Hilton N. C; they have three daughters; 
one son, Ernest, died single; one daughter married Mr. 
Chatam. 

Thomas Gwin first lived at Elkin, one of the owners of 
the Elkin Woolen Mills. Gwin and Chatam afterward 
moved to Elk Creek, Grayson county, Va., and bought 
the Col. Stephen and Capt. John M. Hale farm; built 



Grayson County, Va. 65 

a Roller Flour Mill, and improved the fann and buildings. 

Thomas Gwin was representative in the legislature, 
and was a member of the Convention that met in 1912 
to amend the constitution of the state. In the latter 
part of 1912, he sold his farm on Elk Creek, and moved 
back to Elkin, N. C, where he now resides. Two daughters 
were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Gwin; the first daughter, 
Sallie, married Mr. Poindexter; they have one son, Gwin, 
three daughters. 

Col. John Dickenson, second son of Col. Martin Dick- 
enson and wife, Mary Bourne, married Rosamond Hale, 
daughter of William Hale and wife, Lucy Stone. They 
had four sons and three daughters. First son. Dr. Martin 
Dickenson, married Miss Mattie Phipps; they had four 
sons and two daughters. The first daughter, Lelia B., 
married Judge Robert C. Jacl<son; issue: two or three 
children. Lelia Jackson died, and Judge Jackson married 
the second time, Marian Early, daughter of James Early, 
Jr., of Hillsville, Va. They have children and live in 
Roanoke, Va. 

Second daughter, Rosa, (of Martin Dickenson and 
Mattie Phipps) married Mr. Reeves of Wilkes county, 
N. C; two sons Albert and Martin. 

James Piper Dickenson married in North C'irolina 
and moved to Oregon. Rush Floyd was helpless; died 
young. 

The youngest son, Alexander Martin, marred Minnie 
Dickey, daughter of John M. Dickey; one son, McCamant 
married Miss Wilson, Blue Springs Gap, Va. 

John Dickenson's daughter, Elizabeth, married Dr. 
Huffman; one son, Eddie Huffman. Married sec^ond time, 
Mr. Lapop, of Charlottesville, Va.; two daughters. 

The second daughter, Lucy Dickenson, married William 
Edwards; daughters and one son. 



I 



6^ Pioneer Settlers 

The third daughter, Mary Dickenson, married Col. 
Alex. M. Davis; they had several children; Joseph died 
single, others died young. Garnet Davis, the youngest 
son, married Miss Mattie Dickey. He has four sons, 
and lives at the Davis homestead. Independence, Va. 

Col. John Dickenson married the second time. Miss 
Margaret Ellen Andis; from this union, two sons and two 
daughters; First son, Robert L. Dickenson, married Miss 
Olive Ring; sons, Roy and one daughter. 

Robert L. Dickenson is an enterprising, good citizen 
and lives on the Garrison farm on New River. 

John Dickenson, Jr., married Miss Sallie Ring; lives 
at the Dickenson homestead. He is a good farmer and 
useful man; has children. 

The two daughters were, Sallie, who married C. H. 
Edwards, supervisor for Grayson county; one son, Robert, 
married Miss Collins; f(,ar daughters; a nice family. 

The other daughter. Miss Blanche Dickenson, married 
MiDitree Delp; had one son, Horace Delp; she died young; 
her son went West. 

Col. John Dickenson was a useful citizen of the county; 
he o\ ned a large landed estate on New River, was in 
public office, and in the mercantile business when there 
were bi t few stores in the county. The firm of Dicken- 
son and Nuckolls had stores at Old Town, Elk Creek, 
and Bridle Creek. The goods were then hauled from 
Lynchbu^rg on wagons. There were but two other stores 
in the ci:)unty; they were at Grayson C. H. (now Old 
Town). At that time, all the goods and groceries came 
to Lynchburg on the canal, and were hauled out into 
these western counties in six horse wagons. 

William B. Dickenson, youngest son of Martin D., 
married A^Iiss Mary Edmondson of Glade Spring, Va., 
andf lived ttt Grayson C. H. with his mother who kept 
hotel there for a number of years. They had four 




COL. SAMUEL McCAMANT 



Grayson County, Va. 57 

daughters and two sons; three daughters and two sons 
bom at Grayson C. H. He later moved to Glade Spring 
Depot. One daughter born at Glade Spring. Eugenia, 
the oldest daughter, married Robert Blair; Ellen manied 
Ml. Thurman; Nannie and Mattie; Robert married Miss 
Gardner; John, the youngest son of William Dickenson, 
died suddenly at his home in Glade Spring, Va. The 
family then all moved to California. 

Elizabeth Caroline, the youngest daughter of Martin 
D. and his wife, married Benjamin Martin, of Lee county, 
Va. For some years they lived at Jonesville, Va. Mr. 
Martin was educated at Emory and Henry College, 
when Dr. Collins was president. When they were married. 
Dr. Collins performed the ceremony. They were married 
at the Dickenson Hotel, Grayson C. H. Mr. Martin had 
three sons, Clarence, John, and Beverly. Beverly died 
young at Old Town, and is buried there; they had one 
daughter, Mary; the family moved from Lee county 
to Texas. 

Col. Martin Dickenson's mother was a Miss Bryson 
of North Carolina. He died in 1833. His wife survived 
him nearly thirty years, dying in September, 1860. For 
these thirty years she managed the estate which 
Col. Dickenson left, and did it successfully. She kept 
the hotel open and made money. 

Charlotte Dickenson married Col. Stephen Hale of 
Elk Creek, Va. The follwing was written of her by an 
admirer: 

"Colonel Stephen Hale, of Elk Creek, married Miss 
Charlotte Dickenson, a christian lady, who adorned the 
family circle. She offered up public prayer and delivered 
earnest exhortations. Col. Hale and wife and their family 
were devoted members of the Methodist Church. If every 
family lived as Col. Hale's this would be a happy world. 
Col. Hale married the second time, Mrs. Lenora Gwin 



58 Pioneer Settlers 

Mitchell, who was first Miss Lenora Gwin. She was a 
noble christian woman, gave peace and happiness in the 
love of God to the home of these good people, where their 
sun of ife sat beneath a cloudless sky to rise in the res- 
urrection morning." 

As the foregoing sketches give a number of the names 
of the Gwin family, I will insert here a sketch of one of 
the ancestors of the Gwin family. General William Lenoir. 
He resided in Wilkes county, N. C. His life, char- 
acter, and services have been recorded by an able and 
familiar hand. The following is an extract from the 
Raleigh Register, June 22nd, 1839, and recorded in 
Wheeler's history of North Carolina: "This venerable 
patriot and soldier died at his residence at Fort Defiance 
in Wilkes county on Monday, May 6th 1839, aged 88 
years. 

"Gen. Lenoir was born in Brunswick county, Va., 
on the 20th of May, 1751, O. S.; descended from poor 
but respectable French ancestry. When about eight 
years old, his father removed to Tar river, near Tarboro, 
N. C., where he resided until his death, which happened 
shortly after. Gen. Lenoir received no other education 
than such as his personal exertions permitted him to 
acquire. When about twenty years of age, he married 
Miss Ballard, a lady possessing those domestic and heroic 
virtues which qualified her for sustaining the privations 
and hardships of frontier life, which it was her destiny 
afterward to encounter. In 1775, Gen. Lenoir moved 
his family to the county of Wilkes. 
I "James Gwyn married a daughter of Thomas Lenoir, 

'p. 5 a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Gen William Lenoir 
was a resident of Wilkes county, owned and cultivated 
a large farm on the Yadkin River. He was a good citi- 
zen, brought up a family whose piety and devotion to 
Christianity will leave fruits to ripen in eternity. " 



Grayson County, Va. 59 

His younger son, Rufus Lenoir, married Miss Sallie 
Gwyn of Elkin, N. C, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth 

Gwyn. 

Jestena Dickenson, daughter of Col. Martin Dicken- 
son, married James Meek. They lived at the Stone house 
in Washington county, Va., had two sons; first, Joseph 
Meek married Miss Clark and settled in Burk's Garden, 
Va. James also settled in Burk's Garden. They owned 
a fine landed estate in the Garden. Their daughter, 
Jane Meek, married Dr. William Hoge. Their family 
is in Bland county, Va. , ,. , 

Mary Meek married Phillip Snapp, and lived near 
the old homestead. Their son lives at Snapps Siding 

on N. & W. R. R. , XT ^ w 

Sophia Meek married Mr. Edmondson. He and his 
wife died of yellow fever in Mississippi; two children; 
the youngest daughter, Caroline, married Alex Golahom; ^a.a^<^^ 
lived near Saltville, Va. 

Mrs. Jestena Meek married the second time, C^ol. 
Strother, of Washington county. , ^r r^ + 

Matilda Dickenson married Col. Samuel McCamant 
from Pennsylvania. He was prominent as an attorney; 
was a representative in state senate, and in all movements 
for the good of this county. He lived at Grayson Old 
Court House, reared and educated his family, and he 
and his wife both died and are buried at Old Town, 
in the Dickenson graveyard. They had seven sons and 
three daughters. The sons: Alexander Smith, James 
Martin, John D., William B., Samuel, Thomas Jefferson, 
Emmett. The daughters: Charlotte Virginia, and two 
daughters who died in infancy. 

The daughter, Charlotte Virginia, was a lady of tine 
intellect, culture, and refinement; also a fine christian 
character. She married Rev. Charles M. Howard, an 
Evangelist in the Presbyterian Church. She lived at the 



60* Pioneer Settlers 

old homestead; died without issue and is buried at Old 
Town, Va. 

Alexander S., John D., and William B. McCamant, all 
married daughters of Thomas Gardner in Texas. James 
Martin and Emmett also went to Texas and married 
there. John D. had two daughters, Hattie and Lizzie. 
They lived in Fort Worth. 

Lizzie McCamant married Rev. Carter, who belongs 
to the Texas Conference. He is a Methodist Minister 
and was educated at Emory and Henry College, Va. 

Samuel McCamant, Jr., married Miss Nancy Kitchen. 
He died during the war; no children. 

Thomas Jefferson McCamant married Miss Ellen 
Hale, daughter of Maj. Peyton G. Hale and wife, Jane 
Bourne, of Elk Creek, Va. They had five daughters: 
Blanche, Lizzie, Clyde, Josephine, Mjrtle. Josephine 
and Myrtle died young. Blanche married Clayton 
Higgins; one son, McCamant Higgins. They own and 
live at the McCamant homestead at Old Town, Va. 

Lizzie McCamant married Fred Armfield; they have 
two daughters. They live at the old Governor Franklin 
homestead on Fish River, N. C. 

Clyde McCamant married Marvin Vaughn, son of 
Rev. Thomas C. Vaughan and wife, Lucy Hale. They 
live at Spring Valley, Grayson county, Va.; have one 
son, Thomas Jefferson. 

Col. Samuel McCamant had one brother, Thomas 
Jefferson McCamant, who studied medicine in Pennsyl- 
vania and came to Grayson C. H., and lived with his 
brother. The doctor never married; died about 1860, 
and is buried in the Dickenson graveyard, Old Town, Va. 

Miss Rosa B. Dickenson married Hugh Gwin, and they 
live near Mt. Airy, N. C. They have four sons: First 
son, Martin, married Miss McComas, and lived near Mt. 
Airy, N. C. ; one son married Miss Johnston. John Gwin 



Grayson County, Va. <61 

married Miss Crockett and lived in Rich Valley. One 
daughter, Mary, married Mr. Morgan; lives at Seven 
Mile Ford. 

Elizabeth Bourne married Capt. Lewis Hale, Jr., 
and lived on Elk Creek. (See Hale history, p. 104.) 
They had four sons: Jackson, Washington, Rufus, 
Capt. Peyton N. Hale; four daughters: Millie, Celia, 
Elvira, Rosamond B. (See Capt. Lewis Hale, Jr.) 

Frances Bourne married Stephen Hale, Sr., and settled 
at the Hale homestead. Elk Creek. (See Hale history, 
page 117.) 

Names and number of their sons and daughters follow: 

Eight sons: Mastin, Warner, William B., Martin, 
Fielden Lewis, Chapman G., Clark, Eli C. 

Five daughters: Lucinda, Rosa Bourne, Mary, Amanda 
Jane, Sophia P. (See Stephen Hale, Sr.) 

Celia Bourne married Robert Johnstone and settled 
on Roaring River, Wilkes county, N. C. This Johnstone 
of Revolutionary fame was in the battle of Kings Moun- 
tain. There were sons and daughters of this family in 
Wilkes county N. C, but I cannot give their names. 

William Bourne, Jr., married Mary Johnstone, sister 
to Robert Johnstone. He settled at the old Wm. Bourne 
homestead, on Knob Fork, Va., and brought up his family 
there. Their daughter, Rosa B., married Stephen M, 
Hale, son of John Hale and Mary Hale, his wife. They 
had sons and daughters. Their son, Alexander Hale, 
married Miss Sallie Roberts, daughter of Thompson 
Roberts and wife, Seraphina Currin; one son, Friel; one 
daughter, Nannie; and one daughter, Malinda Hale, 
married Stephen Whitman, son of David Whitman and 
wife, Elizabeth Hale. 

Stephen M. Hale and his wife, after living in Grayson 
some time, moved with their family to Texas, from 
Independence, Va. 



62 Pioneer Settlers 

Malinda Bourne married Robert Currin, son of Maj. 
George Currin and his wife, Martha Swift. They had a 
son, William B. Currin, and a daughter, Mary J. Currin; 
all moved to Oregon. 

Rachel Bourne man'ied James P. Waugh; they first 
lived at Grayson C. H.; afterward moved to Jefferson, 
Ashe county, N. C; died there; no issue. 

Jane Bourne married Peyton G. Hale, son of Wi liam 
Hale and wife, Lucy Stone. (See Ha-e history.) They 
lived and died at the Wm. Hale homestead on Elk Creek, 
Va. 

Lucinda Bourne married Stephen Friel Nuckolls, son 
of Ezra Nuckolls and wife, Lucinda Hale. They both 
died in Salt Lake City, Utah. They had sons: William, 
Paul, Rupert (See Nuckolls Family). Rupert Nuckolls 
now lives in Butte, Montana; is cashier of the State 
Savings Bank there. 

Harvey Gordon Bourne married Miss Frances Nuckolls, 
daughter of Ezra Nuckolls and wife, Lucinda Hale. 
They have one daughter, Mary Bourne, and two sons, 
William, and Houston Bourne. 

Johnstone Bourne married Floranza Bourne, daughter 
of Martin Bourne, of Knob Fork, Va. They live in Texas. 

Following are the descendants of L. W. Bourne, the 
third son, and eighth child of William Bourne, Jr., and 
Mary Johnstone Bourne. 

L. W. Bourne was born January 13th, 1832; married 
Julia Fulton March 12th, 1857. From this union there 
are five children, two girls, and three boys. Pinkie Bourne 
was bom March 7th, 1859; Cleveland Bourne was born 
August 18th, 1861; Robert Bourne was born September 
26th, 1867; William Stephen Bourne was born October 
28th, 1873; Chloe Bourne was born November 1st, 1877. 

Pinkie A. Bourne was married to John H. Skinner, 
December 5th, 1873. From this union are four boys and 



Grayson County, Va. 63 

two girls: Lute Skinner was married to Ella Com, Jan- 
uary 10th, 1897. To this union are three girls and two 
boys, Eunice, Verna, Ellie, John, and George. They live 
at Nogal, New Mexico. 

Conda Skinner, the second son, married Ethel Greer, 
August 24th, 1904. From this union are one girl and one 
boy, Brooksie and Christa, who live at Nogal, New Mexico. 

Floy Skinner married May 15th, 1907, to Alice Zum- 
walt; one girl is added to this union, Elsie Bly; live at 
Nogal, New Mexico. 

Roy Skinner, the fourth son, was married to Clara 
Adams, March 12th, 1911; home, Carrizozo, New Mexico. 

Alice Rosa Skinner, the first daughter, was married 
to Ben B. Parker, May 3rd, 1891. To this union are three 
boys and three girls; Carl Parker, aged eighteen years, 
married Ethel Roth, September 4th, 1910. Live in Sacra- 
mento, Cal. Rolla, Bryce, Pinkie, Hattie, and Ella live 
in Carrizozo, New Mexico. 

Effie Julia Skinner married Bowen Zumwalt, February 
13th, 1898. To this union are four boys and one girl, 
Clifton, Floy, Wayne, Murray, and Chloe. 

Chloe Bourne, second daughter, and youngest child 
of L. W. Bourne and Julia Bourne, married W. R. White, 
February 28th, 1898; no issue. 

Cleveland Bourne, eldest son, was married to Lula 
Henley, October 10th, 1885. To this union are four girls, 
Minnie, Midge, Julia, and Etta; four boys, William, 
Thomas, Milton, and Lute. All yet under the parental 
roof, at Tularosa, New Mexico. 

Robert Bourne, second son, married Josephine Pfing- 
sten, December 30th, 1891. To this union, one son, 
Emmett. Robert Bourne is owner and manager of the 
Telephone line, and living at Duran, New Mexico. 

William Stephen Bourne, third and youngest son, 
was married to Annie Zumwalt, January 27th, 1901. 



64 Pioneer Settlers 

To this union are two sons, Creed and Rex; home, Carri- 
zozo. New Mexico. 

L. W. Bourne, father, grandfather, and great-grand- 
father, of this large family, is living with his eldest daughter 
Mrs. John Skinner, Carrizozo, New Mexico. 

Julia Fulton Bourne, wife of L. W. Bourne, died Sept- 
tember 21st, 1908. Was buried, at Ever Green Cemetery, 
Carrizozo, New Mexico. 

William Bourne (3), youngest son of William Bourne (2), 
and wife, Mary Johnstone, died single, at Independ- 
ence, Grayson county, Va.; a fine young man, in the 
prime of life. 

Capt. Richmond G. Bourne, son of William Bourne 
and wife, married Miss Mary Wagoner of Tennessee, 
daughter of David Wagoner and wife. Miss Celia Perkins, 
daughter of Timothy Perkins, of Grayson county. 

Mary Ann Bourne, youngest daughter of William and 
Mary Bourne, married Preston Reeves; one son, Rich- 
mond G. Reeves, married Miss Hall, on Rock Creek, Va. 

Capt. R. G. Bourne entered the war between the states 
as an officer in the Grayson Cavalry Company, Dr. Wm. 
H. Bramblett as Captain, in the 8th Regiment of the 
Cavalry. After the first year. Dr. Bramblett resigned, 
and Capt. Bourne took charge as captain, and was cap- 
tain when the war closed. After his marriage, he lived 
at the old Bourne homestead on Rock Creek, near Inde- 
pendence, Va. He had two sons: William married Miss 
Wiley; Charles married Miss Dickey. He also had two 
daughters: Callie married George W. Simmerman of 
Wythe county, Va. Addie married Mr. Barton, Inde- 
pendence, Va. Capt. R. G. Bourne did much for his country 
and was a useful citizen. 




MATILDA DICKENSON McCAMANT 

Daughter of Col. Martin Dickenson and wife, Mary Bourne, and wife of 

Col. Samuel McCamant 



CHAPTER III 

THE NUCKOLLS FAMILY 

The early history of our country tells us that the first 
permanent English colony in America was established 
on the coast of Virginia in 1607. Montgomery's English 
history says, "A London joint stock company of mer- 
chants and adventurers or speculators established the 
first permanent English colony in America on the coast 
of Virginia in 1607, at a place which they called James- 
town in honor of the king. " 

The tradition in the Nuckoll's family is that three 
Nuckolls brothers came from York, England, in this 
company of colonists. They were merchants, and their 
names were John, James and William. From one of these 
brothers, John Nuckolls of Louisa county, was descended. 
John Nuckolls married Mary Garland about 1776. Mary 
Garland was the daughter of Robert Garland (4) of 
Louisa county. Robert (4) and Edward (4) were sons 
of John Garland of Garland's Neck, and were the founders 
of the Louisa branch of the Garland family (see chapter 
on Gailand family). Mary Garland was a member of 
the Episcopal Church, and her prayer book, which was 
printed in MDCCLXI (1761), has been handed down to 
her children and grandchildren until it is now in the 
possession of the author of this book, who is her great- 
grandson. In this prayer-book there is a record of the 
time of births of Maiy Garland and John Nuckolls, and 
the names and time of births of their nine sons and one 
daughter. Following is a copy of the record: 

"Mary Garland, born March 20th, 1755. 

"John Nuckolls, born July 12th, 1755. 



66 Pioneer Settlers 

"The ages of children born to John Nuckolls and 
wife, Mary Garland: 

"1st. David Nuckolls, born October 26th, 1778. 

"2nd. Rhodes Nuckolls, bom June 11th, 1780. 

"3rd. Robert G. Nuckolls, born August 7th, 1782. 

"4th. Peter Nuckolls, born June 18th, 1784. 

"5th. Elisha Nuckolls, born September 4th, 1786. 
^"6th. Nathaniel Nuckolls, born January 12th, 1789. 

"7th. Samuel Nuckolls, born December 26th, 1790. 

"One daughter. Patsy Nuckolls, born November 
27th, 1792. 

"8th. Asa Nuckolls, born February 11th, 1795. 

"9th. Ezra Nuckolls, bom March 28th, 1798." 

There is also a record given of the births of fifteen 
negroes belonging to John Nuckolls, and twelve negroes 
belonging to Mary Garland. Of this number, none were 
sold out of the Nuckolls family, except two men who were 
sold to men who owned the wives of these two negro men. 
Several of the descendants of these negroes are now 
living with and working for the descendants of John 
Nuckolls and Mary Garland. 

All the children of John Nuckolls and Mary Garland 
were bom in Louisa county, Va. 

In 1780, Charles Nuckolls moved to Southwest Vir- 
ginia and entered one thousand acres of land on New 
River and Cripple Creek, and others of the Nuckolls 
family followed him. About the year of 1790, John 
Nuckolls' family came from Louisa county and settled on 
New River and Meadow Creek near Greenville or Gray- 
son C. H. At the same time, Charles Nuckolls, who was 
a cousin of John Nuckolls, moved from Cripple Creek 
to Meadow Creek, near Greenville. 

The land enteied by Charles Nuckolls on Cripple 
Creek is now owned by John P. M. Simmerman and others. 
Nathaniel Nuckolls, son of John Nuckolls, owned a part 



Grayson County, Va. 67 

of this land, lived there, brought up his family, and died 
in Wythe county. 

Charles Nuckolls married first a Miss Garland of East- 
ern Virginia ; they hado nes on, Robert. His second wife 
was Mary Black. From this union there were three sons: 
John, who moved to Kentucky; James, who moved to 
Missouri, and Charles, who died single; and five daughters, 
Betty, Sally, Polly, Susan, and Nancy. 

At that time this country was Washington and Mont- 
gomery District. Wythe county was formed in 1790, 
and in 1792 Grayson was formed from Wythe, taking 
in the south side adjoining the State of North Carolina. 
(See records of the first courts of Grayson county, 1793.) 

Charles Garland, brother of Mary Garland Nuckolls, 
came with his sister's family from Louisa county to 
Grayson. He died single and is buried in the Nuckolls 
cemetery in Grayson county. John Nuckolls and iiis 
wife, Mary Garland, went back to Louisa county, died, 
and are buried there. Of the nine sons of John Nuckolls, 
seven of them settled in Grayson county. The daughter, 
Patsy, or Martha, married Maj. James Anderson, of 
Albemarle county, Va. They established a home and 
reared a family in Grayson. Both are buried in the Ander- 
son cemetery near Galax, Va. Descendants of Maj. 
James Anderson live on the Anderson estate near Galax, 
Va. 

Rhodes, the second son of John Nuckolls and Mary 
Garland, and Peter, the fourth son, moved from Giayson 
to Kentucky; Elisha, fifth son, and Samuel, seventh 
son, also moved to Tennessee and Kentucky. Asa, the 
eighth son, died single, and is buried in the Nuckolls 
cemetery. Nathaniel Nuckolls, sixth son of John Nuckolls 
and Mary Garland, first married a Miss Garland of Louisa 
county, Va.; issue, three sons: Lee, Garland, and Andrew; 
and two daughters: Sena and Allie. The fiist son, Lee, 



\ 



68 Pioneer Settlers 

married Miss Lydia Painter. They lived near Ivanhoe, 
Va., and had no children. They are buried near Ivanhoe. 

The second son, Garland, moved to Missouri in 1830. 

The third son, Andrew, married Celia Jones, daughter 
of Maj. Abner Jones and wife, Hannah Fawbush, of 
Grayson county; issue: two sons, Calvin and Kent, 
and four daughters. Two of the daughters moved to 
Nebraska and died there; the other two daughters 
are living single. Calvin Nuckolls moved to Nebraska. 
Kent Nuckolls had four daughters. The first daughter, 
Cynthia, married James B. Johnson, lived and died in 
Hillsville, Va. (See following obituary) : 

"Mrs. Cynthia (Nuckolls) Johnson, widow of James 
B. Johnson, died Monday, and was buried Tuesday 
afternoon, age seventy-eight years. 

"After a long, busy and useful life, she died as she lived, 
honored, trusted and loved. She reared her own monu- 
ments while she lived, in the hearts of all who knew her. 
Life completed if work all done, and well done, consti- 
tutes completion. Her Christian life was beautiful from 
its beginning to its close, and through all vicissitudes 
and sorrows that she met in the way, her faith in God 
never wavered. 

"None evei entered her home without a warm welcome, 
nor left without feeling the warmth cf a genuine hospi- 
tality, so characteristic of the people of her ancestry. 
Disease did not destroy the charm of a kind, indulgent 
disposition, nor old age diminish unselfish solicitude for 
her friends and loved ones. 

"The deceased was the mother of a large and gifted 
family. Impressive funeral services were held at the 
home after which all that was mortal of this grand old 
mother in Israel was tenderly conveyed to our Silent 
City, where by the side of a devoted husband she now 
rests in peace." — Carroll Journal. 




PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE NUCKOLLS CEMETERY 



Grayson County, Va. 69 

"Mrs. Johnson was a daughter of Andrew Nuckolls 
and Celia Jones Nuckolls. Their ancestois were English, 
and early settlers of Virginia. Nathaniel Nuckolls, father 
of Andrew Nuckolls, was one of the pioneer settlers of 
Wythe county. Maj. Abner Jones, father of Celia Jones 
Nuckolls, was also a pioneer settler of Grays-on county. 
These families have done much for the development of 
this section. 

"Mrs. Johnson was very much interested in all that 
was for the interest of both church and state, loved her 
friends and was kind to aH. 

"The pall-bearers were her nearest relatives. Four 
sons-in-law, Jam.es Early, Fulton Green, W. D. Tomp- 
kins and James Cooley, of Kjioxville, Tenn., Judge Robert 
Jackson, Bernard Early, Rev. B. F. Nuckolls, and Dr. 
C. D. Nuckolls." 

Mr. James Johnson was a succesFful merchant and 
useful citizen. Four daughters, Viola, Henrietta, Eliza, 
Dora, and one son. Heath, were born to James Johnson 
and Cynthia Nuckolls. Viola, the eldest daughter, died 
young; Henrietta married Maj. John Rawley; they lived 
in Richmond, Va., and had two sons, Kent Nuckolls, 
and Heath. Maj. Rawley died several years ago; the 
sons are lawyers, and live with their mother in Richmond. 

Eliza, third daughter, married James Early, a merchant; 
they live in Hillsville, Va., and have several children. 
The eldest daughter, Marion, married Judge Robert C. 
Jackson and lives in Roanoke, Va. Eliza and James 
Early have other children — one son, Bernard. The 
fourth daughter of James and Cynthia Johnston, Dora, 
married Fulton Green, son of Mr. Jack Green, who married 
Miss Betsy Fulton, daughter of Judge Andrew Fulton. 
They have three daughters, Clara, Blanche and Nancy, 
one son, Ashby. One of the daughters manied Gordon 
Hall. 



70 Pioneer Settlers 

Heath Johnston, only son of James Johnston and Cjm- 
thia Nuckolls, married Miss Sallie Green, daughter of 
Mr. Jack Green. They had one daughter, Alpha Heath, 
single; one son, died young, and the father. Heath John- 
ston, died soon after the death of his son. 

Heath Johnston was an exemplary young man. He 
had taken his father's place in business, and his death 
was a loss and sorrow to the community, as well as to his 
immediate family. His widow married a lawyer, W. D. 
Tompkins. They live in Hillsville, and have children. 

Sena, the first daughter of Nathaniel Nuckolls, man led 
the first time, Daniel Sheffey; they had one son, Ezra 
Nuckolls Sheffey, who was a druggist in Marion, Smythe 
county, Va. He man'ied first a Miss Preston, second a 
Miss Rhea; moved to Greenville, Tenn., and died there; 
he has sons and daughters living in Greenville. 

Mrs. Sena Nuckolls Sheffey married the second time, 
Joshua Jackson. They had one son, Berton, who died 
in the Confederate army. One daughter, Nannie, who 
married Melville Fisher, of Cripple Creek, and they now 
live in Tennessee. 

Rev. Robert Sawyers Sheffey was a son of Daniel 
Sheffey by his first wife. Miss White, of Abingdon, Va. 
He was a local Methodist preacher of the Holston Con- 
ference, a man who had some eccentricities of character, 
but whose unbounded faith in God, and good works 
among his fellow-men made him widely known through- 
out Southwest Virginia. He was a man who had power 
with God in prayer, and the writer knows of many strik- 
ing and direct answers to his prayers. 

In Robert Sheffey's time there was much illicit distil- 
ling of whiskey in the mountains of Southwest Virginia 
and he was the enemy of the traffic. At one time he 
prayed for a certain distillery to be removed, and a water 
spout burst just above it, and left not a trace of the plant. 



Grayson County, Va. '71 

He prayed for specific things, and God honored his faith 
by giving him what he asked for. The wicked trembled 
when he prayed for justice to be meted out to wrong- 
doers, and many were brought to repentance through 
the influence of his prayers. Mr. Sheffey first married 
Miss Swecker, of Wythe county; they have children 
living in Wythe county. His second wife was a Miss 
Stafford, of Giles county; they have one son, Edward 
Sheffey, who lives in Lynchburg, Va. He is a man of 
fine character, and honors the God of his father. He is 
superintendent of a very fine Sunday School, and a man 

of large influence. . , xt i n 

Allie, the second daughter of Nathaniel Nuckolls, 
married Mr. Engledow, of Wythe county, Va. She, 
with her husband and her brother. Garland Nuckolls, 
moved to Missouri about 1830. She has a daughter, 
Mrs. Allie J. Bone, living at Mineral Point, Missouri. 

Nathaniel Nuckolls married the second time. Miss 
Martha Toler, of Wythe county. They had two sons 
and two daughters; first son, John Nuckolls, lived in 
Wythe county; second son, Calvin Nuckolls, moved to 
Tazewell county, Va. First daughter, Elizabeth Nuckolls, 
married William Pope; they lived on Cripple Creek, Va., 
and reared a family there; second daughter, Nancy 
Nuckolls, married Abner Thompson; they also lived on 
Cripple Creek, Va.; no issue. The plantation on which 
Nathaniel Nuckolls first settled is now owned by the 
Catron family. Rev. S. S. Catron, of Holston Conference, 
was brought up on this farm. The following clipping 
from a Roanoke paper gives a sketch of Robert Rhodes 

Nuckolls: 

"Richmond, Aug. 11— Information was received here 
today of the death of Robert R. Nuckolls, well known 
throughout newspaper, printing and labor circles for more 



72 Pioneer Settlers 

than half a century. His death occurred yesterday after- 
noon in Louisa county. He was 72 years of age. 

"Major Nuckols, as he was called, was a type of the 
Vh-ginia gentleman. He was born, however, in Alabama, 
coming to Virginia at the close of the war, when his regi- 
ment was disbanded in this state. He was in prison when 
the war ended, but came to Hanover county. He was 
connected with the old "Whig" and afterwards with 
the "State." He traveled the state for the last named 
paper, working in its circulation and advertising depart- 
ments. He had experience in almost every branch of 
the profession. He was editor-in-chief of the "Star," 
remaining with that paper until it suspended. 

"Nuckols worked with the Richmond Journal until 
health failed him. He married Miss Swift, of Louisa 
coimty, after the war. His wife died four years ago. 
Respected and esteemed throughout the state, where he 
was widely known, his death is regarded as a loss to the 
newspaper profession of the state." 

Robert Garland Nuckolls was the third son of John 
Nuckolls and wife, Mary Garland. He was born in 
Louisa county. Yd., August 7th, 1782; he came to Grayson 
county with other members of the family, and settled 
on Meadow Creek, one mile from Grayson Old C. H. 
He married Miss Margaret Swift, daughter of Col. Flower 
Swift and wife, Mary Bedsaul (See Swift history). Soon 
after his marriage, Capt. Robert G. Nuckolls opened 
up an Ordinary, or Tavern, at Grayson Old C. H. (See 
License for Ordinary in the proceedings of the Court). 

To Robert G. Nuckolls and wife, Margaret Swift, 
were bom eight sons and two daughters: first son. Creed 
Nuckolls; second, Clarke S. Nuckolls; thu-d, James 
Nuckolls; fourth, George; fifth, Nathaniel Nuckolls; 
sixth, Thomas Nuckolls; seventh, Hugh Nuckolls; eighth, 
Andrew Nuckolls. First daughter, Martha Nuckolls; 




CLARK NUCKOLLS AND WIFE, ROSA BOURNE HALE 



Grayson County, Va. 73 

second daughter, Sena Nuckolls. 

Creed Nuckolls married Elizabeth Hale, daughter of 
Mastin Hale, Sr., and wife, Susan Perkins (see Hale 
history); issue, three sons: Robert G. Nuckolls, married 
Miss Lucinda Hale, daughter of Maj. Peyton G. Hale and 
wife, Jane Bourne (see Bourne history); no issue. They 
live on Elk Creek in the William Hale homestead. Lee 
Nuckolls, (single) lives with his brothei , Robert Garland 
Nuckolls. Charles Nuckolls married Mrs. Effie Wal- 
ters; no issue; lives at Speedwell, Wythe county, Va. 

Clarke S. Nuckolls mairied Rosa Bourne Hale, daughter 
of Stephen Hale, Sr ., (son of Lewis Hale, Sr., and his wife, 
Mary Burwell), and Frances Bourne, (daughter of William 
Bourne, Sr., and v/ife, Rosa Jones.) Issue: eight daughters, 
four sons. First daughter, Amali? Gwyn Nuckolls, 
married Ballard E. Ward of Speedwell, Wythe county, 
Va. (son of William Ward and wife, Mary Young). Issue: 
seven sons and one daughter. 

First son, Ellis William Clarke Ward, graduated at 
Emory and Henry College and took course in Vander- 
bilt University, Nashville, Tenn. He was licensed to 
preach by the M. E. Church, South; married Miss Lelia 
Sparks of Centre, Cherokee county, Ala.; was principal 
of Elk Creek School, then moved to Centre, Alabama, 
and commenced the practice of medicine. He died 
with typhoid fever in Centre, Ala.; one child (died in 
infancy) ; both buried at Garrett Cemetery, Ala. 

Second son, Floyd Harvey Ward, married Miss Ella 
Walsh (daughter of Dr. Walsh). First daughter, Mamie, 
married Dr. Phipps, and lives at Bridle Creek, Va.; 
second daughter, Laura Ward, married Richard Rowe, 
Wythe County, Virginia; third daughter, Ethel Ward, 
married Prof. Crockett Carr, Galax, Virginia. 

First son, Ballard E. Ward, married and lives in 
Pocahontas, Vh-ginia; fourth daughter, Floyd; fifth, 



74 Pioneer Settlers 

Ida; one son died young; one son, Clarence, single. 

Floyd Harvey Ward and family moved to Illinois 
from Knob Fork, Va. 

Frances Laura Ward, only daughter of Ballard E. Ward, 
married John C. Hale of Centre, Cherokee county, Ala. 
Issue, one son and two daughters. The son, Ballard E. 
Hale, died young. First daughter, Stella Hale, educated 
at Centenaiy College, Cleveland, Tenn., single; second 
daughter, Virginia, single, at Centenary College. They live 
in Centre, Alabama. Mrs. Hale died in Centre, Ala- 
bama, January 30th, 1914; is buried in the Garrett 
cemetery. John C. Hale is son of Clarke Hale and wife, 
Susan Garrett, of Garrett's Ferry, Ala. Clarke G. Hale 
was son of Stephen Hale and wife, Frances Bourne, 
of Elk Creek, Va. John Hale has been a merchant the 
greater part of his life. He now employs his time looking 
after the Garrett plantation, a large and productive 
body of land, on the Coosa river near Centre, Ala. 

James Stuart Ward (third son of Ballard E. Ward 
and Amelia Gwyn Nuckolls), married Miss Alice Varney, 
of Newfields, N. H.; one son, Varney Stuart Ward. 

James Ward died in Roanoke, Virginia, September 
17th, 1913. His son, Varney, is a student in the Phillips 
Exeter Academy in Massachusetts. 

Eli Hale, fourth son of Ballard Ward, died young, 
and is buried at Speedwell Church, Wythe county. 

Leonidas Hicks Ward, fifth son, married Ellen Hale 
(daughter of Charles Hale and wife, Tabitha Bourne). 
First son, Everett Hale; second, Gwyn; one daughter, 
Ruth; third son, Leonidas; fourth, Basil. They live at 
the Charles Hale homestead on Knob Fork. 

Dr. Lilburn Ward, sixth son, married Nellie Mahood 
of Culpepper, Va.; one son. They live in Pocahontas, 
Va. Dr. Ward is practicing dentistry there. 



Grayson County, Va. 75 

Herbert Gwyn Ward, seventh son, first went to Centre, 
Ala., and was in business with his brother-in-law, J. C. 
Hale. From there he went to Pueblo, Col., and was 
employed for a while by the Nuckolls Packing Co. He 
went from there to California, and finally to Minneapolis, 
Minn. He was drowned in Pike Lake, New Brighton, 
July 15th, 1905. 

Ballard E. Ward's first wife, Amelia Gwyn Ward, 
died at Speedwell, Wythe county, Va., when her youngest 
son, Herbert Gwyn Ward, was four weeks old. She is 
buried at the Speedwell Methodist Church, Wythe 
county, Va. 

Ballard Ward married the second time, Sophia L. 
Nuckolls, fourth daughter of Clarke Nuckolls and wife, 
Rosa Bourne Hale. He sold his farm on Cripple Creek, 
and bought the farm on Knob Fork in Grayson county, 
where William Bourne and Rosa Jones, his wife, first 
settled. At that place, a son, Ballard Ernest Ward, was 
born to them, July 15th, 1877. He is the only child of 
Ballard Ward and Sophia Nuckolls. When he was an 
infant, his mother died, and is buried at the Nuckolls 
cemetery near Old Town, Va. At the request of his mother, 
Ballard Ernest Ward was taken by her brother, B. F. 
Nuckolls (the writer of this history), and brought up 
with his family. He was married to Miss Lucy B. Ander- 
son, Ivy, Va., on June 10th, 1913. He is travelling auditor 
for the Pocahontas Consolidated Collieries Co., and lives 
in Pochontas, Va. 

Ballard E. Ward married the third time, Mrs. Caroline 
Frances Killinger of Marion, Va. He died in 1896, and 
is buried in the cemetery at Ebenezer Church, Spring 
Valley, near his home in Virginia. His third wife died 
and is buried in Marion, Virginia; no issue. 

Malinda Nuckolls, second daughter of Clarke Nuckolls, 
died single. 



76 Pioneer Settlers 

Benjamin Floyd Nuckolls, first son of Clarke Nuckolls 
and Rosa Bourne Hale, and writer of this history, was 
bom October 20th, 1838, at the old Nuckolls homestead 
near Grayson Old C. H. When quite young, he clerked 
in his father's store at Grayson C. H., was educated at 
the Jefferson Academy, Ashe county, N. C., licensed to 
preach May 31st, 1861, and admitted to the Holston 
Conference at Greenville, Tenn., October, 1861. 

On the 6th of November, 1865, he married Miss Mary 
Fletcher Goodykoontz, daughter of David Goodykoontz 
and wife. Ruth Harter of Floyd county, Va. (See Goody- 
koontz history.) 

From this union there were four children: First son, 
William David, bom in Concord, Tenn., March 16th, 
1868, died near Athens, Tenn., and is buried in the 
cemetery at Wesleyana Church, by the side of the grave 
of Rev. Carroll Long. 

First daughter, Rosamond Ellen, was born near Athens, 
Tenn., Oct. 20th, 1869, educated in Wytheville, Va., 
and at Martha Washington College, Abingdon, Va.; 
mai ried B. G. Witherow, Sept., 1896. They have two sons, 
Charles, and Benjamin, and live near Galax, Va . 

Second daughter, Ruth Frances, was born in the old 
Goodykoontz home near Floyd C. H., Va., March 5th, 
1872, educated in Wytheville, Va., and at Martha Washing- 
ton College, Abingdon, Va.; married J. E. Johnston of 
Cleveland, Tenn. They have one daughter, Mary Ruth 
and live in Cleveland, Tennessee. Their daughter, Mary 
Ruth, was married on January 7th, 1914, to Dr. Carl 
Thomas Speck. They reside in Cleveland. 

Second son, Isaac Clarke, was bom at Independence, 
Va., Nov. 11th, 1873; died near Old Town, Va., Oct. 
10th, 1875, and is buried in the Nuckolls cemetery. 

Sarah Frances Nuckolls, third daughter of Clarke S. 
Nuckolls and wife, Rosa Boimie Hale, married Dr. Brutus 



Grayson County, Va. 77 

Fleming Cooper and settled at Old Town, Va. Issue: 
six daughters and one son. First, Emma Cooper, married 
Stephen Mason Hale, son of Rev. Wiley Dickenson Hale 
and wife, Martha Gwin Mitchell. They have six sons and 
five daughters; first son, Willie Hale, married Minnie 
Burke; second son, Cleveland Hale, single; third son, 
James Hale, single; fourth son, Scott Hale, single; fifth, 
twins, died infants. 

First daughter, Clara Hale, married Oscar Oakley, 
of Mt. Airy, N. C; second daughter, Blanche Hale, mar- 
ried Mr. Banner, Mt. Airy; third, Forrest Hale, single; 
fourth, Lillie Hale, single; fifth, Alice Hale, single. 

Stephen M. Hale and family all live in Mt. Airy, N. C. 
He and his sons are successful merchants. 

Eddie Forest Cooper, second daughter of Dr. B. F. 
Cooper and wife, Sarah Frances Nuckolls, married James 
Lafayette Warrick, son of John Wesley Warrick and wife, 
Ellen Carson. They have three sons and two daughters. 
First son, Thomas; second, Claude S., third, Paul. First 
daughter, Bertie, married Mr. Charles Vance, Kingsport, 
Tenn.; one daughter, Ethel Louisa; second daughter, 
Ethel, single. All now living at Kingsport, Tenn. Lula, 
second daughter of Dr. B. F. Cooper and wife, Sarah F. 
Nuckolls, married James Wiley Dobyns, son of Ben 
W. Dobyns and wife, Charlotte Hale. They have two 
sons: first, Benjamin E., second, Stephen Brutus Fleming. 
All now living at Kingsport, Tenn. Benjamin married 
Miss Huffard, of Wythe county, Va. 

The only son of Dr. B. F. Cooper and wife, S. F. Nuck- 
olls, Johnnie, died young at Old Town, Va. 

Fourth daughter of Dr. B. F. Cooper and wife, S. 
F. Nuckolls, married Alexander Chapman Anderson, 
son of Friel Nuckolls Anderson and wife, Elizabeth 
Roberts. They have five daughters and two sons: first 
daughter, Ruby Elizabeth, died young; second daughter, 



78 Pioneer Settlers 

Catharine; third, Lula; fourth, Virginia; fifth daughter, 
Paulina; first son, Edward; second, Daniel. 

Fifth daughter of Dr. B. F. Cooper and wife, S. F. 
Cooper, Lillie Rosa, married Charles Anderson, son of 
Friel Nuckolls Anderson and wife, Elizabeth Roberts; 
one daughter, Garnett, died young; one son. Grey. 
They live in Galax, Va. 

Nannie Cooper, sixth and youngest daughter of Dr. 
B. F. Cooper and wife, Sarah F. Nuckolls, single. 

Dr. Brutus Fleming Cooper was born in Wythe county, 
Va.> read medicine under his brother, Dr. John Cooper, 
and Dr. Bert Saunders, near Leadmines, Wythe county, 
Va. Commenced the practice of Medicine at Old Town, 
Va., 1855. 

Sarah Cooper died at the old homestead, Old Town, 
August 31st, 1909. Dr. Cooper died at Kingsport, 
Tenn., 1910. Both are buried in the old Nuckolls 
Cemetery. 

William Swift Nuckolls, second son of Clarke S. Nuck- 
olls and his wife, Rosa Bourne Hale, joined the 8th 
Virginia Cavalry Co. in 1861. His captain was Dr. Wm. 
Bamblett. Wm. Swift Nuckolls was wounded in Maryland 
in 1864. He partially recovered from his wounds, and 
in 1868 was married the first time to Miss Susan B. Hale, 
daughter of Martin Hale and wife, Jestena Hale, of Lees- 
burg, Cherokee county, Alabama. (See sketch of Hale 
family.) 

From this union, one daughter, Lelia B. Nuckolls, 
who married William P. Waugh. She was his second wife, 
and to them were born one son, Swift, and one daughter, 
Susan. Swift Waugh is being educated at the Virginia 
Polytechnic Institute at Blacksburg, Va., and Susan is 
in school at Martha Washington College, Abingdon, Va. 

William Swift Nuckolls married the second time 
Miss Fannie M. Kinzer, daughter of Michael Kinzer 



Grayson County, Va. 79 

and wife, Annie Tunner, of Hillsville, Va.; issue: three 
daughters, Annie, Susan Viola, Amelia Clyde; two sons, 
John Michael, Alexander Heath. 

Annie married Kemper Hampton, son of Litrell 
Hampton and wife, Nancy Blevins. They live at Round 
Meadows, Grayson county, Va., and have three sons, 
Bernard, Raleigh and Litrell, and two daughters, Selma 
Frances and Nancy Vera. 

Susan Viola Nuckolls married Edwin Dodd of Tazewell 
county, Va. They live in Galax, Va., and have three 
sons, Edwin Nuckolls, John, Robert; one daughter, 
Ruth Nuckolls. Mr. Dodd is manager of the Galax 
Furniture Factory. 

Amelia Clyde Nuckolls married Rudolph Couch; they 
live in Galax, and have two daughters, Hazel and Ruby. 

John Michael Nuckolls married Eliza Hankley of 
Rural Retreat, Va. They have one daughter, Louise, 
and one son, Francis. They live in Galax, Va. 

Alexander Heath Nuckolls married Ella Lundy, daughter 
of William Lundy; they have one daughter. Alpha Heath, 
and live with their mother, Mrs. Fannie Nuckolls, on a 
part of the old Nuckolls homestead, near Old Town, Va. 

William Swift Nuckolls died in February, 1887, and 
is buried in the Nuckolls Cemetery. 

Mary A. Nuckolls, fifth daughter of Claike Nuckolls 
and Rosa Bourne Hale, married Churchill Fawbush 
Moore, son of Isaac Moore and wife, Euphemia Jones, 
who was the daughter of Maj. Abner Jones and wife, 
Hannah Fawbush. They have five daughteis and three 
sons: 

First daughter, Celia Fawbush, died single; second 
daughter, Amelia Nuckolls married a Mr. Miller, and lives 
in Winston, N. C; third daughter, Rosa Bourne, married 
Fred Lawson, they live in Ivanhoe, Va., and have 
one son, Fred Moore; fourth daughter, Leona Nuckolls, 



80 Pioneer Settlers 

single; fifth daughter, Lura, single. Fh-st son, William, 
died single; second son, Glen, died single; third son, 
Arthur Neal, married Cora Moore, daughter of Orville 
Moore. 

Dorthula Gertrude Nuckolls, sixth daughter of Clarke 
Nuckolls, married first, Robert Rodgers, of Wytheville, 
Va. He died in Roanoke, Va. ; no issue. She married the 
second time, Albert G. Umberger, Wytheville, Va.; he 
died, no issue. Mrs. Umberger now lives in Galax, Va. 

Margaret A. Nuckolls, seventh daughter of Clarke 
Nuckolls, married John A. Ward, son of Lilbum Ward, 
and wife, Annie Groseclose. They live on Cripple Creek, 
Va., and have three sons, James Brown, Charles and 
Robert N. Kent, and seven daughters, Annie, Ella, 
Rosa Bourne, Susan, Lena, Stella H., and Ruth Nuckolls. 
James Brown, single, lives in Kingsport, Tenn. ; Charles, 
single. Cripple Creek, Va.; Robert N. Kent, Pocahontas, 
Va. 

Annie married Eugene Kyle; they live on Cripple 
Creek, Va.; three sons: Ward, Glasgow, James; one 
daughter, Elma. Ella Ward married Charles Dobyns, 
son of Samuel Green Dobyns, and wife, Ruth Lawson, 
of Patrick county, Va. ; no children. They live at Speed- 
well, Va. 

Rosa Ward married Rev. Keller Yonce Umberger, a 
Lutheran Minister. They live in Bluefield, West Va.; 
one son, Kenneth. 

Thomas Fielden Nuckolls, third son of Clark Nuckolls, 
died of diphtheria in 1862 ;isburied in the Nuckolls cemetery. 

Stephen Nathaniel Nuckolls, fourth son of Clarke 
Nuckolls, married Leona Mitchell Cornett, daughter of 
Capt. William Cornett and wife, Linnie Mitchell, who 
was the daughter of William M. Mitchell and wife, 
Sophia P. Hale. They have four sons, William Swift, 
Clarke Hale, Benjamin Winton, Earl Garland, and six 




V. ;- 

^ >*■ 

J - 

C C 

^ I 

y 2 

z o 



<= £ 



a xi 



Grayson County, Va. 81 

daughters, Maud Forrest, Linnie, Bertha, Pauline, Gay, 
and Dawn. 

Maud Forrest married Dr. Asbury Glen Pless, of 
Waynesville, N. C. They had two children; one son, 
Asbury Glenn; one daughter, Maud Forrest. 

Mrs. Pless died soon after the birth of her second 
child, and the child died soon afterwards; both are 
buried in the Nuckolls cemetery. Dr. Pless married the 
second time, Miss Shelton, of Richmond, Va. They live 
in Galax, Va. Linnie is single, lives in Galax. Bertha is 
single. Pauline died young, is buried in the Nuckolls 
cemetery. William Swift lives in Wyoming. Ben Win- 
ton, Clarke Hale, Earl Garland, Fay and Daron live at 
home. 

Elizabeth B. Nuckolls, youngest child of Clarke Nuck- 
olls, married Geo. W. Todd. They live in Galax, Va., 
and have three sons, Lance, Emmon, and George W. 
Clarke, and three daughters, Rosa B., Ila, and Mebus. 
They are all living in Galax, Va. Rosa is being educated 
at Martha Washington College, Abingdon, Va. 

Martha Nuckolls, first daughter of Robert G. Nuckolls 
and wife, married John Brown, Jr., oldest son of John 
Brown, St., and his wife, Martha Wood, who came from 
Yorkshire, England. John Brown, Jr., was bom in York- 
shire in 1801. To John Brown, Jr., and wife, Martha 
Nuckolls, were bom three sons, and two daughters. 
First son, Creed, died single; second son, George, died 
single; third son, Nathaniel, living, single; first daughter, 
Sena, married Francis Bryan, no issue; second daughter, 
Amelia, married Joseph Duphey; lives now at Battle 
Creek, Nebraska; one daughter, Isabella, single; one son 
John B., educated in Nebraska, and at Blacksburg, Va. 

Sena, second daughter of Robert G. Nuckolls and wife 
died single; is buried in Nuckolls cemetery. 

The Brown family came from Yorkshire, England, 



82 Pioneer Settlers 

before or about the time of the formation of Grayson 
county, and bought and entered lands on Meadow 
Creek, and have held the estate in the family until the 
present generation. The Browns, like all other pioneer 
settlers, began in woods. It is said, the first tree was cut 
down by the Old Man Brown who had never seen a tree 
cut. He pulled off his coat and silk hat, and commenced 
to cut all around the tree; at last it fell on his silk hat 
and coat, and mashed them; but he worked on. He cut 
a forked limb, and scratched up his ground, planted 
com, and raised a crop; and there has been plenty raised 
on the farm ever since, and now the old homestead is 
the most valuable farm on Meadow Creek. It is now 
owned by Mrs. Mary Osborne and her children. She is 
a daughter of Jane Brown, who married Hiram Williams. 
Jane Brown was the youngest daughter of John Brown, Sr., 
and Martha Wood, of England. Mrs. Mary Osborne is 
the wife of Emmett Osborne, a son of Floyd Osborne and 
his wife, Rosa B. Hale. Mrs. Mary Osborne has four 
daughters, Annie, Bettie, Callie, and Hattie, and two sons, 
Ellis, and Dean Floyd. Their father, Emmett P. Osborne, 
died at a Roanoke, Va., hospital, of appendicitis in 1911. 
He was a good man and is greatly missed by all. 

The second wife of Col. Alfred Moore was Mrs. Susan 
Nuckolls Wellington, of Eastern Virginia. Her mother was 
a Swift. Her son, Mr. Wellington, lives in Richmond, Va. 

Nathaniel Nuckolls, son of Robert G. Nuckolls and 
wife, Margaret Swift, moved to Missouri in 1845, manied 
Sarah Ann Finn; from there he crossed the plains, and 
was a miner in California; found gold, came back to Mis- 
souri and moved his family in wagons to California, 
and settled there. One of his sons, Clarke, was born on 
top of the Rocky Mountains, on the journey to Cali- 
fornia. There were sixteen children bom to them, and 
all settled in California. 



Grayson County, Va. 83 

Andrew Nuckolls, James Nuckolls, George Nuckolls, 
and Hugh Nuckolls, sons of Robert G. Nuckolls and wife, 
Margaret Swift, died single, and aie buried in the Nuckolls 
cemetery. 

Thomas Nuckolls, son of Robert G. Nuckolls and wife, 
Margaret Swift, married Charlotte Jestina Stone, daughter 
of John Stone and wife, Sarah Leonard; issue: six sons, 
and two daughters: First son, Hugh, married Ellen 
Wright ; first daughter, Amelia, married Thomas N. Meyers ; 
two sons; Flora W., single; one son, Robert G. Nuck- 
olls, married Miss Bryant, three children. 

Second son of Thomas Nuckolls, Nathaniel, married 
Miss Wall, of Hillsville, Va. They live in Ketchakan, 
Alaska; two children. He is engaged in mining and 
shipping. He has traveled all over the west. 

Second son, Ellis V. Nuckolls, married Bessie N. 
Williams; children died. Ellis and his wife are Readers 
of the Christian Science Church, in El Paso, Texas. 

Fourth son, Chester B. Nuckolls, M. D. He graduated 
in medicine and first practiced in Fluvana county, Virginia 
He is now located at Hillsville, Va. ; has a drug store and 
also a large practice. He married Miss Carrie Reeves, 
daughter of Andrew Reeves and wife, Miss Alexander, 
formerly of Alleghany county, N. C, but now living in 
Texas. They have one son, Chester Reeves Nuckolls. 

Fifth son, Henry C. Nuckolls, married Frances Cooley, 
of Carroll county, Va.; one daughter, Jessie, died young; 
two sons now Jiving in Oklahoma. First, Ellis; second, 
Ben. His wife died in Oklahoma, is buried at Gambetta, 
Va. 

Sixth son, Elbert L. Nuckolls, married Bertie Thornton, 
of Hillsville, Va.; one daughter, Jessie; one son, died In 
infancy; one daughter, small. Elbert is a lawyer in Fay- 
etteville, W. Va. He is successful in his practice, and also 
in his business enterprises. 



84 Pioneer Settlers 

Two daughters of Thomas Nuckolls and wife: first 
daughter, Sarah Margaret, died young; Bertie married 
Robert Wade, of Halifax county, Va. ; now living in Okla- 
homa. 

Thomas Nuckolls was a useful citizen and lived a suc- 
cessful life. A marble shaft marks his resting place near 
the railroad at Gambetta, Va. His wife died at the home 
of her daughter, Bertie Wade, in Oklahoma, February, 
1912, and is buried with her husband at Gambetta, Car- 
roll county, Va. 

Ezra Nuckolls, ninth son of John Nuckolls and wife, 
Mary Garland, came to Grayson county with his brothers, 
sister, and uncle, Charles Garland, and married Lucinda 
Hale, oldest daughter of Stephen Hale and wife, Frances 
Bourne. From this union there were seven sons and six 
daughters; the oldest son, Stephen Friel, was bom in 
Grayson county, near Grayson C. H., August 16th, 1825; 
died February 14th, 1879, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He 
married Lucinda Bourne in Grayson County, Va., 
daughter of William Bourne, Jr., and wife, Mary John- 
stone. Four sons of Friel Nuckolls and Lucinda Bourne: 
William B. and Bruce are mining in Montana; Paul died 
nineteen years ago ; Rupert B. Nuckolls lives in Butte, Mon- 
tana. He has been connected with the State Savings 
Bank for over seventeen years; he is now cashier of this 
bank. He is married, and has two daughters, Frances 
and Virginia; one son, Stephen Friel. After the death of 
his father, Stephen Friel Nuckolls, Rupert B. was sent to 
Virginia by the Executor of his father's estate, (Dr 
Fowler, formerly of Bristol, Tenn.) to Roanoke College, 
at Salem, Va. He afterward returned west and has made 
a success in business. 

The second son of Ezra Nuckolls was Heath, who re- 
mained with the family in Virginia until 1853. At that 
time, the family that remained here moved to Missouri 




BALLARD E. WARD AND WIFE, SOPHIA L. NUCKOLLS 
Daughter of Clark Nuckolls and wife, Rosa Bourne Hale 



Grayson County, Va. 85 

and settled at Rock Port. Ezra Nuckolls died there; 
also his wife died there soon after he died; both buried 
at Rock Port, Mo. 

Heath Nuckolls married Miss Hawk, settled in Nebraska 
City. He died there and is buried in Nebraska City. 
His wife and daughter live there. 

Columbus Nuckolls also lived in Nebraska City; he 
married, died, and is buried there; he has a wife and 
children living there. 

Lafayette Nuckolls married in Missouri, afterward 
moved to Texas; died, and left a family. Houston Nuck- 
olls married in Missouri; he also lived in Nebraska 
City, and died there. 

Emmett, the youngest son of Ezra Nuckolls, married 
first in Missouri, married second time, his cousin, Miss 
Ellen Anderson, daughter of Robert Garland Anderson, 
who had also moved to Missouri from Grayson coimty, 
Va. Emmett finally settled in Pueblo, Colorado, estab- 
lished The Nuckolls Packing House in Pueblo. He mar- 
ried the third time in Pueblo and died there, October 
12th, 1910. 

ANNOUNCEMENT 

"It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death 
in this city on Wednesday, October the twelfth, nineteen 
hxmdred and ten, of our President, Emmett Nuckolls, 
after a brief illness following an injury received while 
attending to his regular duties at our plant. 
"The Nuckolls Packing Co., 
"October 18th, 1910. Pueblo, Colo." 

His last wife still lives in Pueblo, Col. He also has two 
sons in charge of The Nuckolls Packing Co. there. Of this 
Company, E. Nuckolls is president; J. M. Nuckolls, 
vice-president; G. Harvey Nuckolls, treasurer, and 
W. F. Nelson, Secretary. 



86 Pioneer Settlers 

Stephen Friel Nuckolls left Grayson Court House and 
went to Missouri about the year 1848; he came back to 
Grayson and married, returned to Missouri when 
Nebraska was a territory. When Nebraska City was 
located, he planned and laid off the City and was prom- 
inent in securing the change of Nebraska from a terri- 
tory into a state. He lived there for some time. One of 
the counties in Nebraska is named for him, "Nuckolls 
county." He was successful in business, made money, 
and was liberal in every way with his money. When his 
father, Ezra Nuckolls, moved from Virginia to Missouri, 
he took with him quite a number of negroes. They 
moved through in wagons. These negroes were kept at 
Rock Port, Mo., and at that time John Brown and his 
Company were on their raids. They carried away two 
young negro women, "Celia" and "Eliza," that belonged 
to the family; they took them into Illinois; Stephen Friel 
Nuckolls followed them, found them in Illinois, and made 
an effort to take them back. He was arrested and put 
in prison, and the negro women were taken to Canada. 
Officers came into the prison to take Friel Nuckolls out 
to hang him; he placed himself in one corner of the room, 
drew his revolver, and said to them, " The first man that 
opens that door, I will shoot him down." 

They did not go in, but he had to pay twenty-two 
thousand dollars to get out of the jail. He was in sympa- 
thy with the South, and when the war broke out, he 
thought best for him to leave the Western country. 

He moved, with his family, to Jersey City, New Jersey, 
and remained there until the close of the war. While he 
was there, he sent money to the soldiers, and helped many 
of them who had been captured and were in the Northern 
prisons. Soon after the surrender he returned to Nebraska, 
with but little means, but began again to accumulate 
money. He then moved to Wyoming Territory, and was 




JAMES SlUART WARD 
Son of Ballard E. Ward and wife, Amelia G. Nuckolls 



Grayson County, Va. 87 

elected from there as a member of the 46th Congress 
and served this term in Washington as a useful member. 

After his return from Congress he moved to Salt Lake 
City, Utah. At that time there was an effort to move the 
"Mormons" from Salt Lake, and his object in going there 
was that in the event they were moved, their property 
would sell at a low price, and he could make profitable 
investments. After being well situated there, he con- 
cluded to remain, as he had investments in mining and 
other interests by which he was gathering large profits. 

In the year 1875, I wrote him and asked for some help 
in building a Methodist Church at what was Grayson 
C. H., but at that time, the Courts being moved, the 
post office was Nuckollsville. As this was the old place 
of business for the Nuckolls family, I thought he would 
be glad to help us build the Church and would perhaps 
send me $100. I soon received a letter in which he stated 
if I would promise to raise $1,000, he would send to me 
$1,000. I wrote him I would accept his offer. He promptly 
sent the $1,000 in New York exchange checks, stating he 
wanted us to put up a good building. We finished the 
building and had it dedicated by Dr. David Sullins in 
1876. This Church has been a great blessing to us. 

Stephen Friel Nuckolls accumulated a large estate 
and was a man of wide influence. His wife died in Salt 
Lake City, and he died soon thereafter, February 14th, 
1879. 

There were bom to Ezra Nuckolls and wife, Lucinda 
Hale, six daughters; all born in Grayson county, Va. 

Polly, the oldest daughter, married Rice Schooler; he 
was from Eastern Virginia. He and his wife settled near 
Grayson C. H., afterward moved to Missouri and settled 
at Rock Port. Their children were bom in Grayson 
county, Va. 



88 Pioneer Settlers 

Frances, their oldest daughter, married after they 
moved to Missouri. She married a kinsman, and came 
back to Roanoke, Va. 

Ellis, the oldest son, lives at Rock Port, Mo. ; Kent, 
second son, married in Missouri a Miss Bradley, formerly 
from Abingdon, Va.; has a family of children in Rock 
Port. Houston, another son, lives at Rock Port. They 
have a stock farm in Missouri. 

The second daughter of Ezra Nuckolls and wife was 
Frances H., who married Harvey Gordon-Bourne, son of 
William Bourne, Jr., and wife, Mary Johnston. Harvey 
G. and his wife first settled on Little River, in Grayson 
county, Va.; afterwards, moved to Missouri; both died 
out west; they had one daughter, Mary Bourne, one son, 
Houston Gordon. Houston Gordon has one daughter, 
Mrs. Pearl Bourne Dameron; her husband is a lawyer, the 
county attorney and council for the A. T. & S. F. R. R.; 
they live at La Junto, Otero county, Colorado. They have 
two sons, seventeen and fifteen years old, and one daughter 
seven years old. 

Rosamond B. Nuckolls, the third daughter of Ezra 
Nuckolls, went to Missouri with her brother, S. F. Nuck- 
olls, and married out there a Mr. Bourchees. They 
lived at Hamburg, Iowa; both died there; have sons and 
daughters. 

Sena, fourth daughter, married Mr. Martin; lived and 
died at Colorado Springs, Colorado; have children there. 

Elizabeth, fifth daughter, married Thomas E. Metcalf, 
a lawyer; lives at Long Beach, California. Mr. Metcalf 
died recently. They have two sons, both lawyers, who 
live at Long Beach, Cal. Elizabeth Metcalf is the only 
one of the children of Ezra Nuckolls and wife, Lucinda 
Hale, who is now living. 

Ezra Nuckolls and his brothers were of much help in 
the formation of the county of Grayson. They had been 




WILLIAM SWIFT NUCKOLLS 



Grayson County, Va. 89 

well educated and had good family training in Eastern 
Virginia. The men and women were tall in stature, a 
number of them seven feet in height and well proportioned. 
Several of them inherited from their Colonial ancestry 
at Jamestown, a liking for the mercantile business, and 
with some of the present generation it is still kept up. 

Ezra Nuckolls was for a term sheriff of Grayson county. 
He, with Creed and Clarke Nuckolls, sons of Robert G. 
Nuckolls, formed a partnership with William Oglesby, 
and went into the goods business at Grayson C. H., Va. 
They were the first merchants at the place and had 
branch houses at Elk Creek and Bridle Creek and continued 
in business until after the close of the war of 1861-1865. The 
style of the firm was then changed to Nuckolls and Dick- 
enson. Another firm at Grayson C. H. was Nuckolls 
and Jennings. James Waugh began the mercantile 
business at Grayson C. H. before the war. After the 
war, his sons, William P. and John B. Waugh continued 
the business. William P. Waugh was in the mercantile 
business at the time of his death at Old Town, Va., in 1896. 

His brother, John B. Waugh, continued in business at 
Old Town until the North Carolina Extension of the 
N. & W. R. R. was built to Galax. He then transferred 
his business to Galax, built a handsome home there and 
resides there now with his family. 

When the county of Grayson was divided and Carroll 
county formed from the east end, the courts were moved 
sixteen miles west, to Independence, Va. The firm of 
Nuckolls & Jennings, of Old Grayson C. H., opened a 
branch house at Independence. Ezra Nuckolls built 
the first store house, and also the first hotel at Indepen- 
dence, and continued in business until he sold out and moved 
to Missouri, about 1853. Robert G. Nuckolls built and 
opened the first hotel, or ordinary, at Grayson Old C. H. 
William Bourne built the first clerk's office and was the 



90 Pioneer Settlers 

first clerk of the courts held first at his house, and later 
at the court house. The ofiice is still standing in good 
repair after over one hundred years' service. It is a good 
oil brick with dressed stone foundation and is now used 
as post office and supervisor's office. This building still 
belongs to the County of Grayson. 

NATHANIEL NUCKOLLS 

The subjects of the following sketches are not resi- 
dents of Virginia, but as they are descended from the 
Jamestown Nuckolls family, and the history is inter- 
esting, we insert it: 

Nathaniel Nuckolls, of Muscogee county, Ga., was the 
fifth child of Thomas and Ann Nuckolls, and was born in 
Louisa county, Va. One of the brothers, who were mer- 
chants in Jamestown, had married a Miss Duke in England. 
Her father was a prominent physician, came to America 
with his son-in-law, and practiced medicine extensively 
in Virginia. Dr. Duke had a large family, and the Dukes 
have for many years been prominent in Virginia and North 
Carolina. From this Nuckolls brother, who married Miss 
Duke, Nathaniel Nuckolls was descended. Thomas and 
Ann Nuckolls had six sons and four daughters; the sons 
were Duke, Stephen, Alexander, Samuel, Nathaniel, 
and George Bias. Duke, Stephen, Alexander, and Samuel 
were farmers; George Bias was a lawyer; Nathaniel was 
a mechanic. Two of his sisters were named Mary (Polly) 
and Lucinda ; names of the other two not given. Nathaniel 
owned an interest in a gold mine in North Georgia, 
then bought a farm in Alabama, and taught some of his 
negro men to work at the mechanics trade, and he studied 
architecture, and planned and built many houses. He 
was a merchant for a while in Columbus, Ga., and planned 
and had built for himself there a handsome residence, 
where he lived for twenty years before his death on 



Grayson County, Va. 91 

September 17th, 1868. His wife died in June of the same 
year. They left three sons, Thomas J., Nathaniel A., and 
James T., and seven daughters, Elizabeth A. Ware, 
Louisiana A. Hawkins, Mary V. Kyle, Cornelia L. 
Richardson, Laura C. Freeman, Adella L. Nowlin. The 
will of Nathaniel Nuckolls was recorded in Muscogee 
county, Ga., October 5th, 1868, and copied on the records 
of Cherokee county, Ala. (at Centre, Ala.), in 1911. 
In his will he gives to each of his three sons, farms valued 
at six thousand dollars each, and to each of his seven 
daughters, farms valued at six thousand dollars each, 
and directs that all of his other property be equally dis- 
tributed among his children. The will states that the 
farm given to Mrs. Freeman was deeded to her by Martin 
Hale, and A. H. Mackey, administrators. 

Of the ten children of Nathaniel Nuckolls, there are 
now only two living — Mrs. Laura A. Freeman, who lives 
with her son, Thomas N., on her farm near Centre, Ala., 
and Mrs. Adella L. Nowlin, who lives in Gadsden, Ala. 
There are a good many descendants, however, living in 
Alabama, and in different parts of the country. 

JOHN NUCKOLLS OF SOUTH CAROLINA 

About the years 1765-75, John Nuckolls moved from 
Virginia to South Carolina, settling near Spartanburg. 
He was probably a great-uncle of Nathaniel Nuckolls, 
as William T. Nuckolls (his grandson), was a cousin of 
Nathaniel Nuckolls. Mrs. C. F. Marsh, of Morristown, 
Tenn., is a descendant of John Nuckolls, and gave the 
author the following information: "John Nuckolls is 
buried at Whig Hill, S. C; following is the inscription 
on his tombstone.* 

"'In memory of John Nuckolls, Sr., who was murdered 
by the Tories for his devotion to liberty, on the 11th day 
of December, 1780, in the 49th year of his age. ' 



(' 



92 Pioneer Settlers 

'"Rest, noble patriot, 

'"Rest in peace 

'"The prize you sought 

'"Your country won.'" 
The Revolutionary records of South Carolina were 
many of them destroyed when Columbia was burned, 
but one record tells where John Nuckolls was a commis- 
sioner of election in 1776. Mrs. Marsh also sent the fol- 
lowing copy from the Carolina Spartan: 

NUCKOLLS AND DAWKINS 
Two Famous Families— Whig Hill — Tory Raids- 
Revolutionary Scenes 

" In a recent issue of the Carolina Spartan there appears 
some very interesting local history under the title of 
Nuckolls and Dawkins. Hoping that it will be of interest 
to our subscribers, especially the older residents of the 
country, we publish the piece entire. 

"Now and then a question, or a suggestion, sets the 
train of thought or investigation in motion that keeps 
moving and widening as it moves. A few days ago a 
lawyer of the city asked for some information about 
Elijah Dawkins, who died in Union county in 1834. 
A lawyer from another State wanted some information 
about the Dawkins estate. The necessary information 
was furnished but the investigation did not cease. 

"A sketch of General Dawkins and his family would 
prove most interesting at this time. Elijah Dawkins 
married Nancy Nuckolls. It must have been between 
1793 and 1800. They had eight children, whose names 
we cannot give in order of birth. They were Elijah, 
Joshua P., Thomas N., Benjamin F., James B., Susan, 
Nancy and Elizabeth. All of these married except 
Elijah. Joshua P. married a Miss Davidson. Both of 




SUSAN B. HALE 
Daughter of Martin Hale, and wife of William Swift Nuckolls 



^f'-'' Grayson County, Va. 93 

them are dead, but their two children, Benjamin and Mrs. 
Nannie Trench are living in Florida. We believe these are 
the only survivors of this large family. Judge Thomas N. 
Dawkins married Miss Mary Polton, who is hvmg m 
Union S. C. Benjamin F. Dawkins married Miss Llize 
Cleveland, of Greenville. These died without children. 
James B. Dawkins married Miss Carrie Taylor and moved 
to Florida. He is dead, but his wife is living at Gaines- 
ville Susan married Wm. T. Nuckolls, both of whom 
died years ago without children. Nancy married Gen. 
James Rogers. She was the tall woman that Major James 
E. Henry did not wish to be seen walking with in Wash- 
ington. , ,, , 
"Gen. Rogers and Mr. Nuckolls were both members 

of Congress. 

"Mrs. Rogers had one son, Dawkins, a young man of 
fine progress, who was killed early in the war. Elizabeth 
married Abner Benson. He was also a Congressman. 
She had twins, both of which died young and she soon 
followed. What became of Abner Benson is unknown to 
the writer of this sketch. About 1830 it was said that 
Mrs. Elizabeth Benson and Mrs. Clarissa Henry were 
two of the handsomest women in the up-country. They 
were noted for their striking appearance and gracious 

manners. , ^ , 

"This leads us back to the Nuckolls family. John 
Nuckolls married Agatha Ballock in Virginia, perhaps m 
Dinwiddle county. The Nuckolls family came over from 
England and settled in Virgmia. Their history runs back 
to 1452, when the "War of the Roses" began. They were 
adherents to the house of York, the emblem of which was 
the white rose. When the original Nuckolls emigrated 
to America, he brought a bush of that rose with him. 
Each member of the family kept a bush of this famous 
rose When John Nuckolls and his wife Agatha, came to 



94 Pioneer Settlers 

South Carolina, they brought the rose with them and 
planted it at Whig Hill, near Grindall Shoals. From that 
plant their decendants got cuttings or roots, and several 
members of the family had the white rose until 1860, 
when sentiment was knocked out of the hearts of many 
of our people. If the rose of York is now living, it is at 
the residence of John D. Jeffries, who owns the W. T. 
Nuckolls homestead. "Aunt Nancy" Dawkins had the 
rose until the time of her death, about 1861 or 1862, 
and T. D. Littlejohn now owns the famous homestead. 
"About 1765 to 1775, John Nuckolls and his wife, with 
some of their older children, came to this state. They 
set Lied between Thickety and Pacolet, at the place after- 
wards known as Whig Hill. There they were living when 
the war came on. They had accumulated considerable 
property and owned some negroes. Mr. Nuckolls went 
into the war at the beginning. Owing to the nature of 
the service in upper Carolina the patriotic soldiers could 
often get to their homes and remain a few days, or a few 
weeks. When the necessity arose they would rally at 
some appointed place and enter the field again. It was 
perhaps in the fall or early winter of 1780, just before the 
battle of King's Mountain, that John Nuckolls visited 
his home at Whig Hill. The meal tub was nearly empty. 
He went with his son John, a mere lad, over to a mill on 
Broad river, about fifteen or eighteen miles from home. 
This mill was perhaps at the Sam Jeffries mill above 
Smith's Ford. The distance being so great, Mr. Nuck- 
olls had to remain all night. It is said that millers in 
those days provided a room in the mill house, or in their 
dwelling for customers thus detained. Nuckolls was well 
known and recognized as an uncompromising rebel. 
On his way to the mill tradition says that a man by the 
name of M. Keown saw him. Learning that he was going 
to stay all night, he mustered up a crowd of tories in the 



Grayson County, Va. 95 

neighborhood, getting some of them from the York side 
of the river, and went to the mill and awoke Nuckolls 
and killed him. When they aroused him they said: 
'We've come for you.' He knew what they meant. 
He asked permission to wake his son so that he could give 
some messages for his people at home. They refused and 
said that if he awoke his son they would kill him also. 
They then took Nuckolls out a short distance from the 
mill and prepared to shoot him. He asked permission to 
pray five minutes. This was granted. He prayed aloud. 
After he had uttered a few petitions, one of them said: 
' If he continues praying that way much longer, we will 
not be able to kill him.' Some one then fired a ball 
through his head. He was thrown into a ditch or gully 
and some rock and brush thrown over the body. Some- 
time after that Mrs. Nuckolls had the bones gathered up 
and buried at Whig Hill. The tombstone, which is stand- 
mg, has this inscription, 'Killed by Tories'. Mrs. 
Nuckolls, about 1782 to 1785, married Joshua Petty. 
He was as much loved by the children as if he had been 
their father. He managed the farm so as to increase the 
property and gave the daughteis the best education 
possible. He never had any children of his own. The 
Nuckolls children were Nancy, who married Elijah 
Dawkins; Susan, who married Charles Littlejohn; Frankie, 
who married a Goudelock. John Nuckolls was the boy 
who was at the mill when his father was killed by Tories. 
He married a Miss Tompson, daughter of gentleman 
Bill Tompson, and had two children, William T. and 
Melissa. William married his cousin Susan Dawkins, 
and Melissa married Major William Norris. 

" If one wished to follow out the different branches of 
this family tree he would get somewhat confused. The 
Goudelocks, the Morgans, the Littlejohns and one branch 
of the Jeffries family would come in for consideration. 



96 Pioneer Settlers 

"As we have said before, W. T. Nuckolls and his wife, 
Susan Dawkins, had no children. His sister, Mrs. Norris, 
had four or five children, only two of whom are living. 
John D. Norris is in Texas and Miss Julia Norris is living 
with her nephews, children of her sister, who married 
Major Frank Anderson, of this county. Their home is 
at Bethpage, Tenn. Of the descendants of Gen. Elijah 
Dawkins, only two are living. They have been mentioned 
before in the sketch, and their home is at Gainesville, 
Fla. Major S. M. Dawkins and his sister, Miss Ophelia, 
now living in Spartanburg, are descended from a brother 
of Gen. Elijah Dawkins. Their grandmother was Frankie 
Nuckolls, daughter of the original John Nuckolls. They 
were perhaps the only persons in this state bearing the 
name of Dawkins, except the two children of Major 
Morgan Dawkins. 

"Several times the Tories made raids on Whig Hill. 
One band of them had their headquarters at Anderson, 
or Thickety Fort, which stood on the north side of Goucher 
Creek, about two and a half miles from its junction with 
Thickety. Col. Patrick Moore, a stalwart Irishman, 
six feet seven inches tall, was the Loyalist who had com- 
mand of the fort. There was another band of Tories down 
on the Enoree, that played havoc with the property of 
the patriots. The famous raid made on Whig Hill was, 
in the winter of 1780, a short time before the battle of 
Cowpens. They made a clean sweep of everything in 
the house. Mrs. Nuckolls had been well brought up and 
educated, and she had many pieces of artistic needle 
work in her house. Everything was taken, and the only 
bed for the youngest child was a sheep skin used as a 
saddle blanket. After these raids John Nuckolls and one 
of his sisters would mount horses and go out and search 
for their stolen property. At one time they went as far 
as Lynch's Creek and brought back some stolen negroes. 



Grayson County, Va. 97 

They also went over into Laurens county and found some 
of their stock which they would drive- home. In one of 
the searches they entered a house and saw some of the 
fine work of their mother's hanging in the room. Such 
were the scenes through which the patriots and their 
families had to pass during the revolution of 1776. 

"This is a very imperfect sketch, dealing only with a 
few historical facts. Long ago they could have been res- 
cued from oblivion by the pen of a ready writer. But they 
are passing away and will soon not be remembered by 
any one. The material for the colonial and early history 
of upper Carolina is very meagre. We hope by writing 
this sketch that some one will be induced to continue the 
subject. We hope there are persons living who will be 
able to give interesting sketches of Wm. T. Nuckolls and 
his wife ; Gen. James Rogers and his wife, and Aunt Nancy 
Dawkins. The intelligent readers of the Spartan would 
take special interest in reading about the people who 
helped to make our early history." 

In the preceding sketch reference was made to the 
"War of the Roses," stating that the Nuckolls family in 
England were adherents of the Duke of York, whose 
emblem was the white rose, and that the white rose was 
brought to America by the Nuckolls emigrants, and that 
John Nuckoll 's family took roots of the rose to South 
Carolina with them, and planted them at Whig Hill. 

John Nuckolls, the ancestor of the author of this history, 
also brought the rose from Louisa county, Va., about the 
year 1790, and planted it in Grayson county, and it is 
still growing on the old Nuckolls home place near Old 
Town, Va. 



CHAPTER IV 

THE FLOWER SWIFT FAMILY 

The Swift family were Colonial Settlers in America, 
and are now found in all parts of these United States. 

Flower Swift was one of the pioneer settlers of the New 
River Valley. He came here from North Carolina, 
secured quite a boundary of land on the river, near the 
place first selected to build the Court House for Grayson 
county. Flower Swift and Charles Nuckolls donated 
one hundred acres of land for the purpose of building 
the first court house and public buildings for the county, 
reserving to themselves three choice one-half acre lots, 
after laying off the lots for the public buildings and the 
streets. The town was first named Greenville; the post 
office, Grayson C. H. After the courts were moved, and 
Carroll county formed, the post office was changed to 
Nuckollsville. There was already a post office in Scott 
county, Va., Nickelsville, and the names being so near 
alike gave trouble with the mail, so the legislature made 
another change to Old Town, which name remains at 
the present time. 

Flower Swift was a magistrate in Wythe county. 
He and William Bourne, Lewis Hale and Minitree Jones 
were instrumental in getting the territory of Grayson 
county cut off from Wythe county, two years after its 
formation. 

The following is copied from "Proceedings of First 
Court at William Bourne's house": 

"Under a commission from Henry Lee, Governor of 
the Commonwealth, directed to Flower Swift and others, 
bearing date of the 10th day of December, 1792, being 




MARGARET SWIFT 
Daughter of Flower Swift, and wife of Capt. Robert Nuckolls 



Grayson County, Va. 99 

read, and thereupon, Flower Swift took the oath of 
Allegiance to the Commonwealth, the oath to support 
the Constitution of the United States, the oath of a 
justice of the county court in chancery, which oath was 
administered to him by Minitree Jones and Nathaniel 
Frisbie. Then the said Flower Swift administered all 
the aforesaid oaths to the others." (See proceedings 
of the first court at William Bourne's House.) 

Flower Swift was the leading justice of the courts, as 
the readers will see from the first chapter in this book, 
copied from the first book of records of the first court for 
Grayson county. 

He had been living here for some time, as stated before. 
He came here from North Carolina, secured lands on the 
east side of New River, and paid for same by the sale of 
a lady's side saddle. There was also a boundary of land 
on the west and north side of New River, bought with 
a flintlock rifle gun. 

Flower Swift married Mary Bedsaul. They opened up 
a field near the bank of the river, one mile west of where 
Old Town now is, and built a cabin with board roof, 
weighted on with logs and with puncheon floor. He also 
built a blacksmith shop, and set out some peach and apple 
trees. He reared a large family; after his family had 
grown up, he and his wife and part of his family moved 
farther west, as the western country was opened up. 
The family records were taken off with the family, and 
we cannot give the names of all the sons and daughters. 
We have the names of four sons, Thomas, John, William, 
and Elisha; these sons all moved west. There were three 
daughters who married here: First, Miss Jestena Swift, 

married a Mr Jones. They moved to North 

Carolina. Alfred Swift married Miss Julia Jones, 
daughter of Minitree Jones. 



100 Pioneer Settlers 

The second daughter, Margaret Swift, married Capt. 
Robert G. Nuckolls. They opened up the first hotel, or 
"ordinary" (as it was then called) at the new court house. 
On the first court records we find the following: "On 
motion of Robert Nuckolls, who, having produced the 
receipt of the Clerk of this Court for the sum of Twelve 
Dollars and Fifty Cents, a license is granted him to keep 
an Ordinary at his house in Greenville, one year from the 
first of May last, whereupon he entered into bond, with 
security accordingly. " 

Before this, sometime, John Nuckolls and Mary 
Garland, his wife, Charles Garland, Asa Nuckolls, 
Ezra Nuckolls, and Martha Nuckolls came to this county 
from Louisa county, Virginia. John Nuckolls and Mary 
Garland returned to Louisa county, and died there; 
the others remained, and bought a boundary of land of 
about 400 acres, and built on Meadow Creek, one mile 
from Greenville. This land is still in the Nuckolls family. 

Capt. Robert G. Nuckolls and Margaret Swift were 
married in 1805. Court record by William Carrico, Sr., 
a Methodist minister, who was also an early settler here, 
on west side of New River. Rev. Carrico came to the 
house of Col. Swift to perform the ceremony. He found 
Col. Swift busy working in his blacksmith shop. Mr. 
Carrico went into the shop and asked if he had any objec- 
tion to the marriage. He said, "No, but Bob Nuckolls 
will carry off my best spinner. " She was a good spinner; 
she spun wool and flax until her old days and died at the 
age of ninety-one, honored and respected by all. 

There were born to them two daughters and eight sons: 
Creed, Clarke, James, George, Nathaniel, Thomas, 
Hugh, Andrew; two daughters, Martha, Sena. (See 
Nuckolls History, page 65.) 

The third daughter, Martha Swift, married Maj. 
George Currin of Montgomery county, Va. They were 




MARTHA NUCKOLLS 
Daughter of Robert Nuckolls and wife, Margaret Swift, and wife of John 

Brown, Sr. 



Grayson County, Va. 101 

married at the same place, one mile from Greenville, on 
the river. 

Maj. Currin and Martha Swift, his wife, bought six 
hundred acres of land on Chestnut Creek, of the Buch- 
anan Survey; they built, settled, and brought up their 
family there. Maj. George Currin died, and is buried 
on his old home place. He and his wife were worthy, 
useful citizens, and reared a nice family of sons and 
daughters; his wife, in her old age, moved to Missouri, 
died there, and is buried on Red River, Mo. 

Maj. Currin was a man well educated, and was a rep- 
resentative in the Virginia Legislature and State Senate, 
for several years. He owned the lands on which the town 
of Galax is built. His grandsons also owti farms on the 
old tract of land, and his grandson, Thomas F. Roberts, 
owns the old homestead. There is a Memorial window 
in the Methodist Church in Galax in memory of Maj. Geo. 
Currin, Martha Swift, Capt. Robert G. Nuckolls, Margaret 
Swift, Thompson Roberts, Clarke S. Nuckolls, Surphina 
S. Currin, Rosa B. Hale. This is a triple art glass window, 
on the front to Centre street, put in by the descendants 
of Maj. George Currin and wife, Martha Swift, and Capt. 
Robert G. Nuckolls and wife, Margaret Swift. The 
author of this history, B. F. Nuckolls, had put into the 
brick wall under this window, a walnut chest, in which 
we expect to deposit family history to be read by future 
generations. 

Of Maj. George Currin and wife, Martha Swift, there 
were four sons, and three daughters: first, Robert, married 
. Malinda Bourne, daughter of William Bourne, Jr., and 
wife, Mary Johnstone; their son, William, married; their 
daughter, Mary, married Mr. Smoot; all went to Oregon. 
Second son, John, married Miss Swift in Missouri; they 
now live in Oregon, and have children there. 

Third son, William, married. 



102 Pioneer Settlers 

Fourth son, Hugh, married Miss Young, Oregon; 
one son, George, married, and owns large ranches and stock 
farms in Hepner, Oregon. He is a useful, good man, and 
has been successful in every respect. He sent a check 
for $25.00 for the memorial window in the Southern 
Methodist Church at Galax. 

Fiis. daughter, Ann Currin, married Joseph Fields of 
Bridle Creek, Grayson county; settled there first, after- 
wards moved west. They sold their land on Bridle Creek 
to Joseph Bryant and wife, Sarah Hale. They had two 
sons: first, Hugh Fields; second, William. 

Second daughter, Catherine Currin, married Martin 
Cooley, son of Benj. Cooley, Sr., and wife. Miss Jane 
Dickey. 

Third daughter, Surphina Currin, married Thompson 
Roberts, from near Mt. Airy, Surry county, N. C. They 
bought out the interests of others in the Maj. Currin 
farm, and settled there, and reared their family. They 
died and are buried with Maj. Currin in the family 
grave yard, in Galax, Va. In this family there were 
seven sons and five daughters: 

First son, Currin Roberts, married Frances Bartlett; 
they have sons and daughters. 

Second son, John, married Mrs. Catherine Leonard; 
she was the daughter of Thomas Blair, Jr. ; they have 
one son, Sidney. 

First daughter, Sallie Roberts, married Alexander Hale, 
son of Stephen M. Hale and wife, Rosa Bourne, who was 
daughter of William Bourne, Jr., and wife, Mary John- 
stone; they have one daughter, Rosa; one son; they live 
m Texas. 

Second daughter, Martha Roberts, died when a young 
lady with diphtheria in the year 1862. Also three sisters, 
fourth, Lucy, fifth, Catherine, sixth, Margaret S., all 



Grayson County, Va. 103 

died with diphtheria near same time. Their father died 
soon after them. 

Seventh son, Thomas Floyd, man-ied Florence Cox, 
daughter of Thos. Cox and Nancy Roberts, his wife; 
their first son, Charles, died young; second son, Dan; 
third son, Fred; fourth son, Frank Currin; first daughter, 
May. 

Third daughter, Elizabeth, married Friel Nuckolls 
Anderson; their first son, Charles, married Lillie Rosa 
Cooper, daughter of Dr. B. F. Cooper and wife, Sarah 
Frances Nuckolls. Their first daughter, Gamett, died 
young; first son. Grey, still living. Second son of Friel 
Anderson and Elizabeth Roberts, Alex Chapman, married 
May Cooper, daughter of Dr. B. F. Cooper and Sarah 
Frances Nuckolls; their first daughter, Rhuby, died young; 
second, Catherine; third, Lula; fourth, Virginia; first 
son, Ned; second, Dan; fifth daughter, Pauline. 

Third son, Hugh, married Alverda Burrus; no children. 
Fourth son, Logan, married first Evaline Trimble; they 
have one daughter, Lola, who married Isaac Pope; they have 
sons; second, married. Fifth son, William, married 
Martha Jones. Sixth son, James, married first, Elizabeth 
Hale, daughter of Warner Hale and Mary Cox; they had 
one son, Clyde, who married Miss Ballard; one daughter, 
Ollie. First daughter, Olive, in Oregon. James married 
second time. Miss Blair, of Wythe county; one son, small. 



CHAPTER V. 

HALE HISTORY 

For the beginning of this history, I will copy from 
**History of Middle New River Settlements, and Con- 
tiguous Territory," by David E. Johnston. 

The Hales of the New River Valley 

"This family is of English origin, decendants of the 
Hale's of Kent. The first American emigrants of the name, 
coming in 1632, bore the coat of arms of the Kentish Hales. 
The traditional story in the family of these New River 
Hales is that the family was quite numerous in Massa- 
chusets and Connecticut, and that sometime prior to the 
beginning of our war for independence there were in one 
family of their name, seven brothers, all of whom joined 
the American army. A great part of them served through 
the war, imder General Washington, in and around 
Boston, in the Jerseys, and in Pennsylvania; that one of 
the brothers that had a family drifted south to Virginia, 
•ome years prior to the beginning of the Revolution, 
located in what now is Franklin county, Virginia; that 
this settler had a son, Edward, who served in the Ameri- 
can army in the early period of the revolution, and later, 
in 1779, came across the Alleghenies into the New River 
valley, and later married a Miss Patsy Perdue, and settled 
on Wolf Creek. 

''Edward Hale was bom about 1756, was a man of 
rather small stature, fair complexion, was a man of 
information and intelligence, and became a prominent 
figure on the border in this day, engaging in the Indian 
wars, fights, and skirmishes. 




THE HALE COAT OF ARMS 



Grayson County, Va. 105 

"He was in the party under Capt. Mathew Farley that 
followed the Indians in the summer of 1783, after their 
attack on Mitchell Claig's family, on the Bluestone, at 
Clover Bottom; and was in the skirmish had with a part 
of these Indians on Pond Fork of Little Coal River, in 
which he killed an Indian at the first fire. From the back 
of this Indian, killed by Edward Hale, William Wiley, 
who was in the party of pursuers, took a strip of the 
Indian's hide, which he gave to Hale, and it was used by 
him and a number of his family for many years as a 
razor strap. 

*' Edward Hale marched with Captain Shannon's 
Company to North Carolina in February, 1781, and was 
in the engagement at Wetzell's mills on the 6th of March, 
and at Guilford court house on the 15th day of the same 
month, 1785. Edward Hale married Miss Patsy Perdue, 
a daughter of Uriah Perdue, then recently removed from 
what is now Franklin county, Virginia. 

"Mrs. Hale was a sister of the w fe of the Elder, Joseph 
Hare. 

"The names of the children of Edward Hale and his 
wife are as follows: viz., Thomas, Isaiah, Chailes, Jessie, 
Isaac, Daniel, Elias, and William; and the daughters, 
Mary and Phoebe. " 

From the early days down to the present time, the 
Hale name has been prominent in the affairs of the country. 
We are all familiar with the story of the heroic martyr, 
Nathan Hale, the spy of the Revolutionary days, whose 
monument stands in City Hall Park, New York. Edward 
Everett Hale's writings are well known and he was for 
many years the honored and loved chaplain of the United 
States Senate, to whose halls in later years Massachusetts 
sent Senator Hale as her representative. 

In the preceding pages we state the coming of the Hale 
family to America, as a Colonial family, from Kent, 



106 Pioneer Settlers 

England, in the year 1632, and that they bore the coat 
of arms of the Kentish Hales. 

We also stated that one of the brothers drifted south to 
Virginia, some years prior to the beginning of the revo- 
lution, and located in what is now Franklin county, Va. 
Lewis Hale was from this branch of the Hale family, 
and married Mary Burwell, who was a descendant from 
the Burwells of Jamestown, Va. The Burwells were 
early settlers at Jamestown, and official members of the 
First Episcopal Church at Jamestown, Va. 

Soon after his marriage, Lewis Hale and his family 
moved from what is now Franklin county, Va., to the 
upper part of the New River Valley, and settled on Elk 
Creek, Va. 

"At the time he started from Franklin, he and his 
brother-in-law, John Walden, expected to settle in Ken- 
tucky. After they came to the New River valley, they 
learned that the Indians were very troublesome in Ten- 
nessee, and John Walden (as he had no family) decided 
to go on horse back, look out a place for them to settle, 
and return. 

He took with him some money, disguised himself as 
a poor traveller and started on his way, but was killed 
by the Indians, and robbed of his money. Tradition says 
he was killed and robbed on Walden's Ridge, Tenn., 
and that this circumstance gave rise to the name, 
"Walden's Ridge." 

When Lewis Hale learned the fate of John Walden, he 
and his family decided to remain in the Valley of Elk 
Creek. He reared a family of six sons and two daughters, 
settled them all in good homes, in the valley near him, 
and for years Elk Creek was known as the Hale Settle- 
ment. The first church was built by Lewis Hale and 
called the " Hale Meeting-house. " When Grayson county 
was formed in 1792, Lewis Hale was one of the first 



Grayson County, Va. 107 

Magistrates of the court, appointed by Henry Lee, 
Governor of Virginia. 
The following was written by Judge D. W. Bolen, of 

Hillsville, Va.: 

LEWIS HALE 

"The tradition that Lewis Hale was a soldier in the war 
of the Revolution seems to be well authenticated. I have 
heard Capt. F. L. Hale say so, and have heard the same 
thing from various other sources. It is my recollection 
that Capt. Hale said that his grandfather served under 
Col. Wm. Campbell. Once when discussing the monu- 
ment of Gen. Campbell, which is at his grave near Seven 
Mile Ford, and in sight of the railroad, and which had 
been pointed out to me from the train, Capt. Hale seemed 
to know much more about the history of Campbell and 
his men than I did at that time. It was in this connection 
that he mentioned that his grandfather had been a soldier 
and I am nearly sure that he said that he served with 
Campbell. I find, however, that he was not a member of 
Campbell's regiment proper. Campbell was colonel 
commandant for Washington county, while Walter 
Crockett was colonel commandant for Montgomery 
county. Lewis Hale evidently belonged to Crockett's com- 
mand. A few of Crockett's men served with Campbell at 
the battle of King's Mountain, October 7th, 1780, and a 
large part, if not the whole of Crockett's command, served 
under Campbell in the battle of GuiKord Court House, 
March 15th, 1781. At Guilford, Col. Campbell had a very 
bitter quarrel with Col. Henry Lee (Light Horse Harry) 
about certain maneuvers on the battle field, and after the 
battle was over Campbell resigned his commission as col- 
onel, and a few weeks later, Governor Jefferson made him a 
general, and sent him to command in the east with Lafay- 
ette, and a little later he died of pneumonia. Outside of 



108 Pioneer Settlers 

King's Mountain and Guilford, Campbell's military- 
career was in suppressing Indian raids and local bands of 
Toiies. Lewis Hale was in Crockett's territory (Mont- 
gomery county). To my mind the conclusion is almost 
irresistible that Lewis Hale, as a member of Crockett's 
command, was attached to Campbell's command, and 
participated in one or perhaps both of the above named 
battles." 

Lewis Hale cleared up land, built houses, and accmnu- 
lated property, and was a useful citizen of this once 
wilderness country. He died July 2nd, 1802, and is 
buried near his home, which was left to his youngest son, 
Stephen Hale, and from him, to his youngest son, Eli C. 
Hale, and now is held by Eli Scott Hale, youngest son of 
Eli C. Hale. 

Lewis Hale was called out in the militia and was in the 
battle of King's Mountain. His six sons were in the war 
of 1812, at Norfolk, Va. His third son, Dudley Hale, died 
while in camp at Norfolk, Va. 

Lewis Hale's grave was left unmarked, and in 1902 
some of his descendants decided they would not any longer 
leave it so. They framed the following appeal and sent 
out to the descendants of Lewis Hale. 

''AN APPEAL. 



' * You are a descendant of Lewis Hale, who settled on 
Elk Creek, in Grayson county, Va., and was buried there, 
July 2nd, 1802. His grave is in the cemetery on thefaim 
now owned by Eli C. Hale and has never been marked. 
We have decided to erect a monument at his grave, with 
his name, that of his wife, Mary Burwell Hale — and 
their six sons and two daughters. We appeal to you for 
One Dollar, more or less, to help pay for the monument 



Grayson County, Va. 109 

and thus perpetuate the family history. You are also 
cordially invited to be present on July 2nd, 1902, — 'the one 
hundredth anniversary of his burial — at which time we 
want to put up the monument. You are requested to 
make remittance to the member of the committee by 
whom this is sent. 

"COMMITTEE 
"Rev. B. F. Nuckolls, 
"Prof. W. Stephen Hale, 
*'E. Scott Hale, 
"John McLean, 
"Dr. Sam Mitchell, 
"Robert G. Nuckolls." 

There was a ready response and on July 2nd, 1902, a 
monument was unveiled at the grave of Lewis Hale, 
bearing on it the names of Lewis Hale and his wife, 
Mary Burwell Hale, and the names of their six sons and 
two daughters. 

The following account of the unveiling was written 
and published in the Southwest Virginia Enterprise by 
John A. Whitman, great-great-grandson of Lewis Hale. 
Mr. Whitman is editor and publisher of the Southwest 
Virginia Enterprise. 

THE LEWIS HALE MONUMENT UNVEILED 

"Wednesday, July the second, between two and three 
thousand people assembled on Elk Creek, Grayson 
county, Virginia, to witness the unveiling of a monument 
erected to the memory of Lewis Hale and wife, who died 
in eighteen hundred and two. The procession formed in a 
grove near the residence of Mr. W. S. Hale and in charge 
of Marshals E. Scott Hale, Leon Dickenson, Thomas 
Comett and Charles Hale marched to the cemetery. 
'Coronation,' led by Mr. F. A. Comett, was sung. 



110 . Pioneer Settlers 

Then Mr. W. S. Hale thrilled his hearers with an eloquent 
address containing a fund of interesting information and 
entertaining facts concerning his pioneer ancestry. The 
unveiling proper then followed, eight great-great-grand- 
children of Lewis Hale taking part in the ceremony — ■ 
Allie Rose Bryant, Sue Waugh, Ethel McLean, Agnes 
May Hale, Gwyn Ward, Hale Lundy, Leon Hale and 
William Scott Hale. A photographer was on the ground 
with his camera and got a good view of the monument 
and those of the near relatives who surrounded it at the 
time. The crowd then repaired to a nearby grove where 
the exercises were concluded. Several selections were 
rendered in choruses and a sloo "One Sweetly Solemn 
Thought" was effectively sung by Mrs. Ruth Nuckolls 
Johnston, of Cleveland, Tennessee. The memorial 
sermon was ably preached by Rev. B. F. Nuckolls, of Old 
Town. His text was Acts, thirteenth chapter and thirty- 
sixth verse, "For David after he had served his own 
generation, by the will of God fell on sleep and was laid 
unto his fathers and saw corruption. " During the inter- 
mission which followed a sumptuous lunch was partaken 
of and the hospitality of Grayson county fully p oven 
by the keen appreciation with which each man solaced his 
inner self. The reading of the names of the contributors 
to the monument next won the attention of the listening 
throng. 

"Mr. A. M. Dickenson, formerly of Grayson but now of 
Marion, discussed *A Hundred Years of Progress,' 
citing the advance made since 1802, when the remains 
of Lewis Hale were consigned to the grave. A song and 
the benediction concluded the exercises, but the day will 
live long with those who were present, and will pass into 
the annals of Grayson county as complete and not to 
be forgotten. 

"A few facts regarding Lewis Hale may be interesting 



Grayson County, Va. Ill 

to the reader. The exact date of his birth is not known, 
but it was thought he must have been sixty or sixty-five 
at his death in 1802. In about the year, 1760 Lewis Hale 
and wife started from what is now Franklin county, 
Vu-ginia, to Kentucky, but owing to the hostility of 
Indians they stopped over in Grayson county. They 
were so attracted by the country and climate that they 
decided to make it a permanent home. At that time there 
were but seven families living on Elk Creek; and what is 
now a beautiful valley dotted with handsome houses, 
churches and academies, and where progress and pros- 
perity are so evident, was then an almost untenanted 
and trackless forest. Here Lewis Hale reared six sons 
and two daughters, and from these descended men who 
have been prominent in war, church and state, others 
playing important parts in the country's history. A 
great many have emigrated to other states and taken 
foremost places among the people of the country. A 
large portion of Grayson county's people are their descend- 
ants and are noted for sturdiness, uprightness and general 
worth. The projectors of the plans to thus honor and keep 
green the memory of these pioneer settlers are to be very 
much complimented on their success and commended 
for the spirit of commemoration of the departed to 
whom they and the country at large owe so much." 

LEWIS HALE AND DESCENDANTS 

To Lewis Hale and wife, Mary Burwell, were bom six 
sons, and two daughters: 

Their first son, Richard, married Elizabeth Stone. 

Second son, William, born March 20th, 1771, married 
Lucy Stone, sister to the above Elizabeth Stone. 

Elizabeth and Lucy Stone were daughters of Jeremiah 
and Susanna Stone. 

Third son, Dudley, married Mary Burroughs. 



112 Pioneer Settlers 

Fourth son, Francis, married Elizabeth Burroughs, 
sister to Mary Burroughs. 

Fifth son, Lewis (2), married Elizabeth Bourne. 

Sixth son, Stephen, married Frances Bourne, sister to 
Elizabeth Bourne. 

Elizabeth and Frances Bourne were daughters of 
William and Rosa Jones Bourne. 

Two daughters: First, Elizabeth, married first, Thomas 
Burroughs, had children; Elizabeth married second time, 
they had children. One daughter married Hamilton; 
one son. Rev. Hale Snow Hamilton, of Holston Confer- 
ence. 

Second daughter, Mary, married first, John Hale; had 
two sons, James, who died young, and Stephen M., who 
married Rosa Bourne, daughter of William Bourne, Jr.; 
they had a large family; moved to Texas. Mary married 
second time, James Atkins; no children. 

Richard Hale's children: First, Lewis, Jr., married 
Celia White and moved to Tennessee; their first son, 
William, married Miss Russell in Tennessee, Bradley 
county, near Cleveland, Tennessee. 

First daughter, Charlotte, died young. 

Second daughter, Talitha, married a Mr. Garden; they 
had one son. Rev. Wm. C. Carden, of the Holston Con- 
ference; one daughter, Sarah Carden. 

Third daughter of Lewis Hale, Jr., was Lucinda, born 
on Elk Creek, Va., August 14th, 1818; married John 
Wesley Stanton and settled in Georgia, in Murray, now 
Whitfield county. They had nine children; William 
Lewis, Celia Elizabeth, Peyton Lisby, Elbert Miller, Chap- 
ell Quillian, Sarah Jane, McClure Hale, Mathew Whit- 
field, and Mary Irene. All living except McCure Hale, 
who was drowned in 1896. 

Second son of Richard Hale, Rev. Jeremiah Hale, 
married Susan White, lived on Elk Creek; first son, 




St 

^ 3 

I ;5 



Grayson County, Va. 113 

Tivis, married Telitha Bourne; they had two daughters; 
first Amelia, married Stephen Clarke; they now live in 
Wjrthe county. Sallie married Stephen Cornett ; they have 
children and live on Elk Creek. Second son, John S. 
Hale, married Susan Troy; lived on Rock Creek. 

Third, Oscar, died in the army, 1863; single. 

First daughter, Lucinda Hale, married Mr. Byrd. 

Second daughter, Jane, married Stephen Clarke; they 
had two sons, Walter and Oscar; they lived at Inde- 
pendence and Wytheville, then moved to Elizabethton, 
Tenn. 

Sena, daughter of Richard Hale, married Col. Eli 
Cornett; lived on Elk Creek, near Summerfield. 

Their first daughter, Matilda, married James Hale, 
son of John Hale and wife, Rosa Blair; they had one 
daughter, Rosa, who married John Roberts; they live in 
Missouri. 

Second daughter, Elizabeth Cornett, first married 
Samuel Carson; they had one son, Adolphus, who married 
Ella Scott, and moved to Missouri. Elizabeth, second 
time, married James Warrick; they had several children. 

Third daughter, Amanda Cornett, first married Capt. 
Peyton N. Hale, son of Lewis Hale, Jr., and Elizabeth 
Bourne; he was killed in first Manassas battle, leading 
his Company; they had one son,Emmett,who died young; 
one daughter, Bettie, who married Basil Home, Smythe 
county; they have two sons, William and Basil. 

William Hale was the second son of Lewis Hale and 
Mary Burwell. Their first son, John Hale, married 
Rosa Blair, daughter of John Blair and Charity Bourne. 
They had thirteen sons: 

First, Alfred, married Elizabeth Jones, daughter of 
Maj. Minitree Jones, Jr., and wife, Nancy Golden; they 
reared a large family on Rock Creek. 

Second son, Warner, married Mary Cox, daughter 



114 Pioneer Settlers 

of David Cox and wife, Jane Doughton, had a large 
family in the west. 

Third, James, married Matilda Comett; moved to 
Missouri. 

Three of these brothers, Lorenzo Dow, John B., and 
Alonzo Sidney, all married daughters of David Isom and 
wife, Sarah Choate. Thomas married Elvira Cornett; 
he also moved to Missouri. 

Second son of William Hale, Col. Stephen Hale, married 
first Miss Charlotte Dickenson, daughter of Martin 
Dickenson and wife, Mary Bourne, of Grayson Court 
House, Va. 

Their first son. Rev. Wiley Dickenson Hale, married 
Miss Martha Mitchell; their first daughter, Charlotte, 
married Ben W. Dobyns; one son, James Wiley Dobyns, 
married Lula Cooper, daughter of Dr. B. F. Cooper and 
wife, Sarah Frances Nuckolls; they have two sons: first, 
Ben; second, Brutus Fleming. Second daughter, Vir- 
ginia Hale, died single; third daughter, Sallie B. Hale, 
married William P. Waugh. Their fu"st daughter, Eugenia, 
died; second, Lenora, died; third and fourth, twins, 
Elizabeth B. and Martha M.; Elizabeth married Edward 
Reeves, son of George Reeves and wife, Caroline Thomas. 

Martha M. married A. Edwin Wolfe; their first daughter 
Juanita; second, Gladys; one son, Eugene; fifth daugh er, 
Laura Waugh, married Di. Dunkley. He is connected 
with the Shenandoah Hospital, Roanoke, Virginia. 

Fourth daughter, Caroline Hale, married William 
Scott; they live in Texas, and have children. 

Fifth daughter, Emma Hale, married Fi-ank Williams; 
their first daughter, Leona, married Mr. Scott; they have 

two children; second daughter, Sallie, married Dr 

Reed; third daughter, Mary, married 

Sixth daughter, Alice Hale, married Ellis Lundy, of 
Independence, Va., son of F. J. Lundy and wife, Eliza- 



Grayson County, VA. 115 

beth Dickey; their first daughter married Mr. Rhudy; 
second daughter married Thomas Comett; third daughter 
married Walter Busic. 

First son, Clarence, married Minnie Sutherland, 
daughter of Capt. William Sutherland, of Hillsville, Va. 
They live at Mt. Airy, N. C; he is a clothing merchant; 
they have two sons. 

Second son. Fie] den Hale, married Rosa Busic; first 
son of Rev. Wiley D. Hale, James, died in Cc nfederate 
army, single. 

Second son, Stephen Mason, married Emma Cooper, 
daughter of Dr. B. F. Cooper and wife, Sarah Frances 
Nuckolls. Their first son, William, married Minnie 
Burke; second son, Cleveland, single; third son, James, 
single; fourth son, Scott, single. 

First daughter, Clara Hale, married Edgar Oakley; 
second daughter. Banner; third daughter, Lillie; fourth 
daughter. Forest; all the family live in Mt. Airy, N. C. 

Second son of Col. Stephen Hale and wife Charlotte 
Dickenson, Reese, married Celia Perkins, daughter of 
Levi Perkins and wife, Milly Hale; they have a son and 
daughters in Texas. 

Third son. Creed Hale, died single; was killed in First 
Manassas battle. 

Fourth son, Capt. John M. Hale, died single, at Staunton, 
Va. 

First daughter of Col. Stephen Hale, Theresa, married 
Rev. Russell Rogers; lived in Washington county, Va. 
Their first daughter, Charlotte, married Mr. Neal; 
second, Mary; first son, Charles; second son, John. 

Col. Stephen Hale married the second time, Mrs. 
Leonora Gwyn Mitchell, of Mitchells River, N. C; they 
had one daughter, Caroline, who died single, a grown 
young lady. One son, James Gwyn, died single, a grown 
young man. 



116 Pioneer Settlers 

Eli C. Hale, youngest son of Stephen Hale and wife, 
married, first, Miss Frances Scott, daughter of William 
Scott and wife, Elizabeth Porter; four sons: first, William 
Stephen, a graduate of Emory and Henry College. He 
studied law, was a representative in the legislature, 
superintendent of public schools; also a teacher. He 
man-ied Miss Mary Booher of Tennessee; two daughters: 
first, Gussie, married Vivian Hale; one son, William 
Scott, died young; another died in infancy; one daughter, 
Mamie, single. 

Second son, Robert Clarke, married Mary McLean; 
one daughter, Gussie, married Jelane Rhudy, Elk Creek,Va, 

Third son, Maurice, married Kate Perkins; two children; 
they live at Blue Springs, Va. 

Fourth son, Eli Scott, lives at the old Hale homestead. 
He married Miss Eva Hale, daughter of Norman Hale 
and wife. Miss Lillie Thorntom of Hillsville (daughter 
of William Thorntom and wife, Martha Johnston). They 
have one daughter, Rachel Holmes; one son. 

Eli C. Hale married second time, Mrs Lillie Hale, 
widow of Attorney Normon Hale, Hillsville, Va.; from this 
union, three children. Two died in infancy; third, Agnes 
Hale, in E. C. T. School, Elk Creek, Va. 

There were seven daughters of Eli Hale's first family: 
Fu-st, Laura, married Dr. Emmett Vaughn; they live in 
Lynchburg, Va.; one daughter. Alma; two more children. 

The second daughter, Emma, married Mr. Bamett; 
lives in Lynchburg, Va; first daughter, Bessie; also one 
son and another daughter. 

Third daughter, Mary Hale married Willis McKinney 
of Mt. Airy, N. C; no issue. 

Fourth daughter, Callie Hale married Rev. John Pugh; 
one daughter, Frances; one died young; other children; 
they live near Grant, Va. 

Fifth daughter, Susan Hale, married George Lambert, 




ELI C. HALE 
Thirl eanth ol the Family of Stephen Hale and wife, Frances Bourne 



Grayson County, Va. 117 

Rural Retreat, Va.; two children. 

Sixth daughter, Alvirda Hale, married Mr. Booher; 
they have childien. Seventh daughter, Chatham Hale, 
married Mr. Booher; they have children. Alvirda and 
Chatham Booher live near Bristol, Tenn. 

Sophia P. Hale and Dr. W. M. Mitchell had five 
daughters and one son. 

First daughter, Malinda M., manied Capt. William 
Comett; their daughter married Stephen Nathaniel 
Nuckolls; one son, married in Missouri; children there. 

Second daughter, Frances, married Rufus Thomas; 
no issue. 

Third daughter, Mary, married Ephriam Gentry; sons 
and daughters; New River, Va. 

Fourth daughter, Sena, married Dodge L. Phipps, 
Long's Gap, Va.; two sons, two daughters. 

Fifth daughter, Virginia, married Newton Cox; one 
daughter, married. 

Only son, Samuel Hale Mitchell, M. D., lives at the 
Mitchell homestead, Elk Creek, Virginia. He married 
Bessie Comett, daughter of Monroe Cornett and wife, 
Jane McCarter; children: one son, died in infancy; first 
daughter, Katie May, teacher in Martha Washington 
College, Abingdon, Virginia. Second daughter, single. 

Stephen Hale, Sr., sixth son of Lewis Hale, Sr., married 
Frances Boiirne, daughter of William Bourne, Sr., and 
his wife, Rosa Jones; children: eight sons; first, Mastin, 
married Susan Perkins. 

Second son, William B., married Matilda Jones. 

Third son, Martin, married Jestin Hale, daughter of 
Dudley Hale and wife, Mary Burroughs. 

Fourth son, Warner, who died young. 

Fifth son, Fielden Lewis, married Evalina Anderson, 
daughter of Maj. James Anderson and wife, Martha G 
Nuckolls. 



118 Pioneer Settlers 

Sixth son, Clarke, married Susan Garrett of Centre, 
Cherokee county, Ala. 

Seventh son, Chapman G., married Margaret Isom, 
daughter of David Isom and wife, Sarah Choate. 

Eighth son, Eli C, married Frances Scott, daughter of 
William Scott and wife, Elizabeth Porter, who was a 
daughter of Andrew Porter and wife. Miss Cleaves. 

OBITUARY OF CAPT. FIELDEN LEWIS HALE 

"'Captain Hale is dead!' 'Yes, he is dead!' Often 
and tenderly these words have passed from lip to lip 
among the people of Carroll county since the news of 
the death of Captain Fielden L. Hale, of Florida, reached 
here a few days ago. 

' 'Capt. Hale was bom on Elk Creek in Grayson county, 
Va., on the 9th day of September 1814, and died at his 
home in Seville, Florida, November the 5th, 1894, 
aged 80 years, 1 month and 26 days. His grandfather, 
Lewis Hale, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, 
and from data in our possession it seems nearly certain 
that he fought in the battle of King's Mountain under 
Gen. Wm. Campbell. His father, Stephen Hale, was a 
soldier in the war of 1812. Capt. Hale himself enlisted 
in the Confederate army and served as captain of a com- 
pany of volunteers. 

"The prime of his manhood was spent in Hillsville. 
It was here that he had his largest and widest experience. 
He was here in business as a merchant when ;he county 
was formed. 

"His store house then stood where D. A. L. Worrell's 
residence now stands. His name appears frequently 
among the records of the first court ever held in the county, 
which was the June term, 1842. B. F. Cooley was then 
appointed Sheriff and F. L. Hale became his suiety; at 
the same term F. L. Hale, John B. Mitchell, and I. B. 



Grayson County, Va. 119 

Coltrane, were appointed to superintend the building of 
the courthouse. On the 1st day of September, 1842, 
F. L. Hale was commissioned by the governor a justice 
of the peace and member of the county court for Carroll 
county. He held this office for several years. At the 
June term, 1849, he was appointed county clerk to fill a 
vacancy and held the office for the unexpired term. 
In 1858 he was elected c'erk and held the office a full 
term. The records of his official life everywhere bear the 
impress of duty well performed. January, 1861, was ush- 
ered in amid such clouds of war as this country never saw 
before. The Legislature of Virginia on the 19th of that 
month passed the famous resolution for a peace conference, 
all the cotton states having just seceded from the Union. 
The same Legislature called a convent'on of the people 
to decide upon the course Virginia should pursue towards 
the Union. An election of delegates to this convention 
was held on the 4th of February, and F. L. Hale was 
elected as the delegate from Carroll. 

"The convention assembled at once and Mr. Hale, with 
a majority of its members, was opposed to unconditional 
secession. The convention did but little the first sixty 
days of its session. But the time arrived when it was plain 
that the peace conference would accomplish nothing. 
On the 15th of April, President Lincoln issued his proc- 
lamation for seventy-five thousand troops, of which 
Virginia was called on to furnish her proper quota, to 
suppress the action of the seceding states. This proc- 
lamation was accepted by the south as a declaration of 
war, and three days later the Virginia convention passed 
the ordinance of secession, and cast her lot with that of 
her sister states of the South. Capt. Hale voted for and 
signed this ordinance. His familiar signature to that 
document may be seen hanging upon the walls of the 
State Library in Richmond. As an evidence of his sin- 



120 Pioneer Settlers 

cerity and patriotism in this critical measure, Mr. Hale 
returned home and though past the military age entered 
the army and fought for the cause. He staked his for- 
tunes upon the success of the Southern Confederacy and 
,lost. Capt. Hale's record as a private citizen is an inter- 
esting exemplary one. The statutes upon the subject of 
forfeited delinquent lands from 1832 to 1850 were in much 
confusion. The Ruston grant of 242,000 acres covered 
all the land in Carroll county north of the Blue Ridge, 
except a small corner in the southwest corner of the coimty. 
This survey in 1839 was declared forfeited for failure to 
enter it on the land books for the purpose of taxation. 
It was exposed to sale and purchased by D. Graham, 
Robert Rapert, F. Allison. As the statute declared the 
land forfeited, the people believed it was open for re- 
entry and survey, and numerous indeed were the small 
grants that were then obtained for lands inside of the Rus- 
ton grant. Capt. Hale procured between 50,000 and 
100,000 acres of land inside the Ruston grant. He sold 
these lands in small tracts and people settled upon them 
in nearly every section of the county. The years rolled 
along and finally the supreme court decided the Ruston 
title to be good. This decision created a panic among 
Hale's purchasers. There were hundreds of them. They 
had erected homes, laid out plantations, and made large 
and costly improvements. 

*'It seemed to them that all was lost. Capt. Hale, 
though then in failing circumstances resulting from the 
war, effected a purchase of such portions of the Ruston 
title as completely protected every person who had 
purchased from him. 

"This was no doubt a very trying period for Capt. 
Hale. It incurred a responsibility that a man of doubt- 
ful integrity would have shirked. 

' On one of his last visits to Carroll he referred to it 




LUCINDA HALE 

Daughter of Stephen Hale and wife, Frances Bourne, and wife of 
Ezra Nuckolls 



Grayson County, Va, 121 

and a gleam of honest delight came over his face as he 
remarked in the presence of the writer that he had never 
sold a tract of land to a man who lost it. 

"At the age of 26 Capt. Hale was happily married to 
Miss Evelina Anderson. She bore him four sons and one 
daughter. The daughter died in this town many years 
ago. She is still remembered by some of our people as 
a beautiful child; the joy and constant companion of 
her father; but just as prattling childhood was merging 
into womanhood her sweet spirit like a bird of spring 
returned to the bright land whence it came. The wife 
died in 1855. The sons all grew to manhood and all 
but Stephen, preceded their father to the grave. In 1859 
Capt. Hale was married to Mrs. Elizabeth S. Burt, of 
Alabama, a lady of the most excellent and estimable 
qualities. For thirty-five years she bore him sweet com- 
panionship and with loving hands and loving heart 
sweetened his cares and soothed his sorrows. 

*'The hearts of the people of old Carroll go out for her 
in tender sympathy in her sad bereavement. As husband 
and parent no soul was more tender and loving than 
Capt. Hale. His love for her, and his attentions to his 
wife and children and grandchildren was proverbial and 
poetical. Amid the severest calamities and afflictions his 
face was a ray of light in his home. As a neighbor and 
friend he was faithful and constant to the end. 

"Reverses of fortune, death of his sons, calamities 
that would have driven other men to madness and death, 
never soured his nature or caused him to murmur. Envy, 
jealousy and malice had no place in his soul. He was kind 
and generous to every creature he met with in this 
world. He made firm and lasting friendships with people 
in every rank and grade of society and appreciated the 
friendship of the humblest creature in our world. 



122 Pioneer Settlers 

"His intellectual qualities were of a high order. He 
seemed to know, to comprehend and recollect every- 
thing. On his last visit to Carroll he could describe the 
corners and lines of lands he once owned, but which he 
had not seen for thirty years, with such accuracy that 
there was no trouble to go on the ground and indentify 
them. 

"For about 12 years before his death he had made his 
home in Florida, but usually visited Carroll once a year. 
His return in the spring or early summer was looked for 
with delight by our people. He would usually get here by 
the June term of our court and it was often touching to 
witness the greetings he would receive from the people 
on the streets, especially from old soldiers, and from the 
plain country people that knew him and loved him so 
long. The time for his departure came and he knew it 
and felt it. The flowers of youth, and the strength of his 
manhood were gone; old age came and lingered, but its 
furrows on his face and its weight upon his head never 
dimmed or marred the beauty of his character. To look 
upon his snowy locks and tottering steps was to increase 
our love. He was a ripe shock and ready for the Master's 
garner. His peace with God had long been made. 

" His faith and trust in the mercies and goodness of the 
everlasting Father grew and multiplied as his years 
accumulated; and when the summons came, with the 
radiance of immortality on his face and eternal life in 
sight, he went forth like one: 'Who wraps the drapery 
of his couch about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams."' 

The five daughters of Stephen Hale and wife were: 
First, Lucinda, mairied Ezra Nuckolls, son of John 
Nuckolls and wife, Mary Garland, of Louisa county, Va. 

Second, Rosa B., married Clarke S. Nuckolls, son of 
Robert Garland Nuckolls and wife, Margaiet Swift. 
(See Nuckolls family.) 



Grayson County, Va. 123 

Third, Mary, who died young. 

Fourth, Amanda J., married Col. Ira B. Coltrane. 
(See Obituary of Col. I. B. Coltiane.) 

Fifth, Sophia P., married Dr. William Marshall Mitchell, 
son of Dr. Zachariah Mitchell and his wife, Elizabeth 
Newland, of Blue Springs, Smyth county, Va. 

COL. IRA B. COLTRANE 

"A familiar form passed from mortal view when on 
the 13th day of May, 1894, at his home two miles west of 
Hillsville, Col. Ira B. Coltrane peacefully breathed his 
last, having attained the good old age of 78 years, 11 
months and 15 days. Col. Coltrane's life was spent in 
our midst. He leaves behind him more monuments to 
his usefulness than perhaps any man that has lived in 
our section. When a boy fourteen years old he drove a 
team across the Blue Ridge at the Good Spur. On his 
return, in company with several wagons, when the foot of 
Good Spur was reached, all teams were hitched to the front 
wagon, and by hard pulling and tugging it was taken 
to the top of the mountain. The teams were all taken 
back to the foot and hitched to another wagon and it 
was taken up to the top as the first one was. This thng 
was repeated until every wagon landed safely on the 
mountain top. While this thing was going on the young 
teamster looked into the deep gorge just east of Good 
Spur, where Paul's Creek goes rippling down the mountain, 
and in his mind located a place for a better road. Years 
afterward when Virginia had embarked upon the policy 
of internal improvements, Col. Coltrane was a member of 
the General Assembly and procured an appropriation to 
open the Fancy Gap turnpike across the mountain along 
the very line his boyish eyes had mapped out. He then 
came home and by genius and skill located and opened the 
road across the moimtain, which is one of the very best, 



124 PoiNEER Settlers 

if not the best, crossing of the Blue Ridge to be found in 
Virginia. This crossing will never be changed, neither 
its location nor its grade can be improved. It will remain 
there as a convenience and a blessing to the people of 
Southwest Virginia and Western North Carolina for ages 
after the face of its projector and constructor has faded 
from human memory. 

*'The bridge across little Reed Island Creek, two miles 
north of Hillsville, is a model of perfection. It was pro- 
nounced by the Chief Engineer of the N. & W. R. R. Co. 
to be as good a wooden bridge as can be built with human 
hands. This bridge was built by Col. Coltrane and will 
long stand as a monument to his memory. The court 
house at Hillsville is a model of beauty and symmetry. 
It is universally pronounced to be one of the soundest, 
most durable, as well as convenient, structures that can 
be reared. Col. Coltrane was its builder and its architect. 
Long before it was finished Col. Coltrane saw hat he 
would lose money on his contract; but he went on to 
completion without one inferior piece of material or one 
inferior piece of workmanship going into it. The stone 
wall and the stone steps in front of the court house and 
some of the cut stone in the building were not in his 
contract, but he was unwilling to turn off anything but 
a good job and so he did this work and received no pay 
for it. It would be next to impossible to tell how often 
Col. Coltrane has been appointed to draw plans for build- 
ings, to assess damages, to receive work that was being 
done for the county and to perform other duties of that 
kind, but just as often as he was appointed he performed 
his duties faithfully and well. He drew the plan for the 
first court house and jail ever built in our county. He 
was Colonel of Militia, and had served in both branches 
of the legislature. But of all the monuments he has erected 
the grandest one is his character for truth and honesty. 




AMANDA J. HALE 

Daughter of Stephen Hale, St., and wife, Frances Bourne, and wife of 

Col. Ira B. Coltrane 



Grayson County, Va. 125 

If there was ever a track of falsehood, flattery, deceit, or 
corruption in his composition it had been carefully rooted 
out. His manner sometimes seemed rough, and his words 
sometimes sounded harsh but they were utterances of the 
plain, unvarnished truth, nevertheless, without affixes, 
prefixes or adjectives. 

"In his legislative life his name was a terror to all 
lobbyists. He would snap their heads off with as much 
composure as he would snap the idler who came around 
him to meddle with his business or his work. A person fond 
of feeding on flattery could never have enjoyed Col. 
Coltrane as a companion or associate. On the other 
hand a person contented with fair dealing, with firm and 
unyielding friendship unmixed with falsehood or deceit, 
would love him for his sterling qualities. Beneath his 
stem exterior there beat a kind and loving heart. Col. 
Coltrane was married to Amanda Hale of Giayson county, 
on the 9th of June, 1844. She and seven of the children 
bom to their union preceded him to the grave. Mrs. 
E. L. Williams is the only child that survives to mourn 
his death. During the long, long months of his illness 
she sat at his side and administered to his wants as only 
faithful woman can do. Several small grandchildren 
by a deceased daughter, Mrs. G. T. Burroughs, and the 
children of Mrs. Williams, are his descendants. May the 
spirit and the mantle of the honest and upright grand- 
father rest upon them. For some time before his death 
Col. Coltrane knew that his days were numbered, and 
that he was lingering at death's door; but he was not 
afraid. He had not overlooked the subject of religion. 
He had read and studied the bible; he had examined the 
creeds and tenets of faith of the prevailing denominations 
in this section of thecountry; but he never joined any church. 
He looked upon his own judgment and the promptings 
of his own conscience as his safest guide to a correct 



126 Pioneer Settlers 

understanding of his duties towards God and towards 
man; and these he faithfully followed. He stated in his 
last sickness that he had yielded himself into the hands of 
God and trusted Him to do whatever was right. We know 
that he went into the presence of his Maker with no lie on his 
lips and no hypocrisy on his soul. He had lived long and 
no doubt met upon the other bank of the mysterious 
river thousands whom he had known in this life; but it 
is safe to say he met no one there upon whom he had com- 
mitted a fraud, or to whom he had in this life done inten- 
tional wrong. One of the largest crowds that ever assembled 
at our village cemetery gathered around his open coffin 
to take a last sad look at the face they had known so 
long and so well and then with loving hands the casket 
was interred close by his wife and children and among 
the relatives that for generations have been buried there. 

*'Were a star quenched on high, 
For ages would it light 
Still travelling downward from the sky 
Shine on our mortal sight; 
So when a good man dies 
For years beyond our ken 
The light he leaves behind him lies 
Upon the paths of men." B. 

James Scott was from Ireland, and married Rachel 
Holmes. She was of the nobility of Scotland, and theie 
was so much opposition and displeasure with her family 
that James Scott and his wife emigrated to America, and 
settled in Rye Valley, near Blue Springs, Va. Their son, 
James, married Margaret Porter; one son. Rev. Andrew 
Scott. 

Their son, William, married Elizabeth Porter. Eliza- 
beth and Margaret were daughters of Andrew Porter 
and wife, Miss Gleaves, who was a sister of Maj. James 



Grayson County, Va. 127 

Gleaves, of what is now Wythe county, Va. The descend- 
ants of William Scott and family are given on preceding 
pages. 

Capt. Lewis Hale, fifth son of Lewis Hale, Sr., married 
Elizabeth Bourne, daughter of William Bourne and wife, 
Rosa Jones; they had four sons: First, Jackson, mairied 
Catherine Isom; second, Washington, married Nancy 
Hale, daughter of Francis Hale; third, Rufus, married 
Nancy Hale, daughter of Dudley Hale; fourth, Capt. 
Peyton N., married Amanda Cornett, daughter of Col. 
Eli Cornett and wife, Sena Hale. 

Four daughters: first, Milly, married Levi Perkins. 

Second, Celia, married Mr. Rutherford. 

Third, Elvira, married Mr. Davenport. 

Fourth, Rosa B., married Charles Daugherty; one son, 
Lindsey; others in Texas. 

Maj. Peyton G. Hale was prominent in the affairs in 
both Church and State ; was a member of the Senate in 1882 
when the question of the state debt was discussed, and the 
question of Funding and Readjusting was coming before 
the Senate for a vote. Hale and three other membeis 
left the house, and were known as the "Big Four." 
They were Maj. Peyton G. Hale, Judge Lybrook, Mr. 
Williams and Mr. Newberry. They refused to follow 
Mahone into the Republican party; did not like Mahone's 
methods of conducting the affairs of the State. 

DEATH OF MAJOR HALE 

*' Information has been received here of the death, at 
his home in Grayson county, yesterday, of Major Peyton G. 
Hale, one of the immortal' big four' who fought Mahone's 
methods in the Legislature, and did much towards clinch- 
ing the nails in his political coffin. 

"Major Hale was what Albert Pike would call *a 
Virginia gentleman of the olden time.' Honest, brave, 



128 Pioneer Settlers 

patriotic, and true to every trust or responsibility, he 
was a typical Virginian, and his death will be mourned 
by all who knew him for his worth." 

William Hale and wife had four daughters: first, Susan, 
married Morgan Bryant, a Methodist minister. Their 
first son, Shadrack, was also a Methodist Minister; he 
married Sallie Bryant, his cousin; they have sons and 
daughters. 

Second son, Gideon, died single. 

First daughter, Lucy, married Henderson Cheek; 
they have sons and daughters. 

Second daughter, Sarah, married Archibald Edwaids. 
Their first son, William Edwards, man led Lucy Dicken- 
son. One daughter married John Murphy. Second, 
Morgan, married; Wythe county; one daughter married 
Prof. Gentry; one daughter, Rosa Bryant, married 
Columbus Fulton, Independence, Va.; one daughter 
married J. H. Rhudy, lawyer (see children); second 
daughter married Mr. Couch. 

Elizabeth, second daughter of William Hale, married 
David Whitman, W3rthe county, Va.; they had two 
daughters: first, Caroline, married George W. Gentry, 
and moved to Texas; second, Nancy, married Peter 
Gallagher; they had three sons, Emmett, Patrick, Marvin, 
and three daughters, Mary, Elizabeth, Nannie. Peter 
Gallagher's wife, Nancy, died while they lived in Wythe- 
ville, Va. He was appointed under President Cleveland, 
and went to Pocatello, Idaho. Emmett is married and 
lives in the West; Patrick died in the West; Marvin is 
married, and lives in the West; Mary married and lives 
in Pocatello, Idaho; they have children; Elizabeth 
manied Mr. Green and lives in Pocatello, Idaho; they 
have children. Nannie married, and died in California. 

One son, Stephen Whitman, married Linnie Hale, 
daughter of Stephen M. Hale and wife, Rosa Bourne; 




STEPHEN FRIEL NUCKOLLS 



Grayson County, Va. 129 

they live in Texas. Clarke married and moved to Texas. 
David, Jr., married Malvina Porter, daughter of Stephen 
Porter and wife, Margaret McNutt, Cripple Creek, Va. 
Mrs. Whitman died in 1882 at the family homestead, 
and is buried on Cripple Creek. After her death, the 
family moved to Wilmore, Ky. Their first daughter, 
Gertrude, married in Kentucky; second daughter, 
Margaret, married Dr. Haller; they live in Pocahontas, 
Va., and have children. Third daughter, Jennie, married 
Mr. A. H. Jordan, a druggist, in Pulaski, Va. ; they have 
two children, Margaret and Elizabeth. 

Fourth daughter, Blanche, married Mr. Galloway, 
cashier of the Bank in Pocahontas, Va. Fifth daughter, 
Lillie, is a teacher, single. Sixth daughter, Nannie, is a 
teacher, single. 

William Whitman married Miss Sloan, Pulaski, Va. 
They have a large family of children, and live near Pulaski, 
Va. 

Clay Whitm.an mairied Caroline Kegley; first son, 
John A. Whitman, married Miss Carrie Heuser and is 
editor of the Southwest Virginia Enterprise, Wythe- 
ville, Va. 

William H. married Miss Cleaves; lives in Loudon 
county, Va. 

Sidney married Rosamond Vaughn, daughter of Rev. 
T. C. Vaughn and wife, Lucy Hale. 
Fifth, George, died single. 

Nancy, third daughter of Wm. Hale, married David 
Gose, Cripple Creek, Va., one son, William, married Susan 
Umberger; one son, John, is mayor of Bristol, Tenn; 
one daughter. 

First daughter, Rosa, married Lewis Perkins, moved to 
Texas; Matilda, first married Riley Moore; second time, 
married Leonard Sutherland, Elk Creek, Virginia; the 
fourth daughter of William Hale and wife, Rosa, married 



130 Pioneer Settlers 

John Dickenson; they lived on New River; had sons 
and daughters. (See Martin Dickenson family history.) 

Dudley Hale, third son of Lewis Hale, Sr., married 
Mary Burroughs; he was a soldier, and with his five 
brothers, went to Norfolk, Va., in the war of 1812. Capt. 
Lewis Hale, his brother, was in charge of the company. 
Dudley Hale died while they were in Norfolk. His wife 
died in a short time after her husband; his brothers took 
their children and reared them. There were five sons and 
five daughters; Preston, Franklin, and James, moved to 
Cherokee county, Alabama. Burroughs married Miss 
Sutherland and settled on Elk Creek; their first son, Alex- 
ander, first married a Miss Catron. Second wife. Miss 
Lucinda Wheeler, of Knob Fork. Second son. Eh, mar- 
ried Miss Hampton; one daughter married Hackler. 
Burroughs Hale's second wife was Miss Clara Houk; two 
daughters by second wife: first daughter married Haw- 
kins; second, Amanda, married Jacob Thomas, of Elk 
Creek; one son, Jo, man ied Bourne; one daughter, mar- 
red; Cora, first daughter, married Elbert Ring. 

Lewis B. Hale, son of Burroughs Hale, married Margaret 
Huddle of Wythe county, Va.; their first son, Lef trick, 
married Miss Hale; Gideon married Jestina Bryant; 
Peyton died single; John married Miss Bryant; Mastin, 
Jr., married Caroline Hale; Lewis, Jr., married Miss 
James, of Wji:he county, Va. 

First daughter, Keziah, mairied Ephriam Bourne; 
their first daughter, Linnie, married Mr. Vaughn; Rosa 
married James Rhudy; third married Vaught; fourth 
daughter married John McLean; first son, James, in 
Missouri; second daughter, Jane, died single; third, 
Olive, married Montgomery Bourne; fourth, Sallie, 
James Yontz. 

The five daughters of Dudley Hale: first, Mary, 



Grayson County, Va. 131 

married James Brewer; moved to Georgia; have sons and 
daughtei-s. 

Second, Sarah, married Joseph Bryant, Bridle Creek. 

Their first son, Stephen, married Mazie Phipps, daughter 
of Joseph Phipps and wife, Nancy McMillan; their first 
daughter, Jennie, married Crockett Mallory; second 
daughter married, first, John Hale; one son, Wallace 
Graham. Third daughter man led Dan Busic, treasurer 
of Grayson county. 

Second son, William Bryan c, married Emmeline, 
daughter of Isom Cox; they have one daughter, who 
married John M. Parsons, lawyer and state senator of 
Grayson county, Va. 

One daughter, married Burt Bagwell. 

One daughter, married Charles Cox, son of Harden 
Cox, of Potato Creek, Va. 

The three daughters of Joseph Bryant and wife Sarah 
Hale: 

First, Rosa, first married Noah Weaver; lived at 
Weaver's Ford, New River; second, married Mr. Dixon. 

Second, Olive, first married Ed Greer, Grassy Creek, 
N. C; second time roanied Mr. Pierce. 

Thud daughter, Jestin, first married Gideon Hale, 
Elk Creek; second, married James Greer, Grassy Creek, 
North Carolina. 

Fourth daughter of Stephen Bryant married Dan 
Busic; their first daughter married Emmett Cox; lives 
at Peach Bottom, Virginia; second, Rosa, married 
Fitzhugh Lundy, Independence; one son, Busic, married 
Lundy, daughter of Ellis Lundy and wife, Alice Hale, 
Independence, Va. 

One son of Stephen Bryant and Mazie Phipps Kenerly, 
married Etta Phipps, daughter of Joseph Phipps and 
wife, Cynthia Bourne. First daughter married Dr. 
Robinson; lives at Woodlawn, Carroll county, Va.; 



132 Pioneer Settlers 

second, married R. S. Fulton, second son of Joseph 
Bryant; Aaron, died when a young man, in Mississippi. 

Third son, Lewis Hale, married Drucy Phipps; their first 
son, Joseph, married Miss Graham. Second son, John, 
married Lesbia Phipps, daughter of Columbus Phipps 
and Nannie Cox. They have children, and live in Texas. 
Third son, Alexander, married Bena Cox, daughter of 
Isom Cox and wife, Jensey Phipps. 

Fourth son, I. B. Bryant, manied Miss Reeves; one 
son, Lewis Preston. L B. Bryant is Grayson county 
court clerk. 

First daughtei- of Lewis H. Bryant married James 
Perkins, lawyer; second daughter married James R. 
Hale; live in Oregon. One son, Jo, married Miss Graham, 
N. C. One son, Robert, married Con Phipps, daughter 
of Joseph Phipps and Cynthia Bourne, Bridle Creek, Va. 
Second daughter married Mr. Spicer. Third daughter, 
Phoebe, Married Mr. Thompson, North Carolina. . 

This family of Bryants is related to William Jennings 
Bryan, "The Commoner." Francis Bryan, the father of 
Morgan Bryan, was a brother of William J. Bryan's 
great-grandfather. Francis Bryan and his sister, Eliza- 
beth, came to Southwest Virginia; first stopped at "Fort 
Chiswell," afterward went across to what is now Grayson 
county, Va. Elizabeth mairied John Sutherland; Francis 
married Phoebe Woodruff. (See Bryan History by Mrs. 
W. J. Bryan.) 

Third daughter of Joseph Bryant married second time, 
Jones Greer, Grassy Creek, North Carolina; son and 
daughters. 

Third daughter of Dudley Hale, Jestin, married Martin 
Hale and settled in Leesburg, Cherokee county, Ala. 
(See history of Stephen Hale, Sr., and Frances Bourne's 
descendants.) 

Fourth daughter married Rufus Hale (see history of 




LUCINDA BOURNE 
Daughter of William Bourne, Jr., and wife, Mary Johnston, and wife of 
Stephen Friel Nuckolls 



Grayson County, Va. 133 

Lewis Hale and Elizabeth Bourne's descendants). They 
also settled in Cherokee county, Ala. 

Fifth daughter, Olive, married Levi Comett (see 
Canute), and they lived and died on Elk Creek, where 
Dudley Hale first settled; their first son, Franklin, mar- 
ried first. Miss Austin; they had sons and daughters. 
Second time, married Miss Daniel; they had sons and 
daughters; lived at Summerfield, Elk Creek. 

Nancy, daughter of Dudley Hale, married Rufus Hale, 
son of Capt. Lewis Hale; lives in Cherokee county, 
Alabama; has children. 

Francis Hale married Elizabeth Burroughs; they had 
two daughters; fu-st daughter, Nancy, married Washing- 
ton Hale, son of Capt. Lewis Hale and wife, Elizabeth 
Bourne. They moved to Cherokee county, Ala.; they 
had one daughter, Jane, who married Mr. Stiff, an editor 
in Center, Ala. Mr. and Mrs. Stiff have a son, Washing- 
ton Stiff, who lives in Center, Alabama. He married 
Miss Martha Senter. Washington Stiff is editor of The 
Harmonizer, Center, Alabama. Second daughter of 
Francis Hale married Mr. Massensmith. Francis Hale 
had five sons: first, Thomas, married Sallie Sutherland; 
second. Wicks, married Miss Delp; third, Fontaine, 
married Miss Martin; fourth, Dudley, married Miss 
Wright; fifth, Frank, Jr., married Betsy Huddle, of 
Wythe county, Virginia; their first son, Lee, killed in the 
Confederate war; second, Lindsey; third, Nicholas, 
married Hale; have children. 

First daughter, Amanda, married Churchill Boyer; 
their first son, Watson, married Ellen Boyer; second son, 
Samuel, is a practicing physician; first daughter, Bettie, 
married Mr. Herrington; second Luzana, married Mr. 
Schuler; they have one daughter, married Mr. Neff, 
Rural Retreat, Va. 



134 Pioneer Settlers 

Lewis Hale (2) married Miss Gantrell of Tennessee; 
they have two sons, Granville, and William, who went 
to Texas and married; and two daughters, first, Martha, 
married William R. Dickey, Independence, Va. They have 
one son, James, who married Miss Taylor, Mt. Airy, 
N. C; they have two daughters; first, married Charlie 
Bourne, son of Capt. R.G. Bourne; second, liiarried Thos. 
Dobyns, of Patrick county, Va. Then- first daughter, 
Mary, married John Wiley; went west; have children. 
Second daughter, Cynthia Dickey, married William Warren 
of Noith Carolina; they have one daughter, who mar- 
ried Rev. Terry Fulton. 

Second daughter of Lewis Hale, Ellen, married James 
Ballard; first son, William, married first in California; 
married second time. Miss Emma Ballard, of Old Town, 
Virginia; they have one son, James Ballard; have one 
daughter. Bell, who married Winfield Perkins, Hilton, 
North Carolina, son of W. Perkins and wife. Bell Ballard; 
one son, Edwin, married Zollie Bryant, Bridle Creek, 
Virginia. 

Third son of William Hale, William J., married Sarah 
Porter, of Cripple Creek, Wythe county, Va. One son, 
Stephen Porter Hale, the only child, was a cripple from a 
boy. Following is a copy of a letter written by him to 
the author: 

"I, Stephen P. Hale, son of William and Sarah Hale, 
was born Nov. 1st., 1825, and married to Elmira Gantrell, 
Jan. 1st, 1856. From this union, were four children, to- wit : 
Sarah Alice, Nov. 25th, 1856; William, Dec. 17th, 1858; 
Mary Elmira, Jan. 25th, 1861; Stephen Porter, bom 
Feb. 13th, 1863, and died, Sept. 5th, 1863. My wife, 
Elmira G. Hale, departed this life on April 1st, 1863, 
and on Oct. 2nd, I was married to Miss Cornelia V. 
Yearwood, of McMinn coimty, Tenn., who died June 
9th, without issue; and on April 7th, 1870, I was again 




SOPHIA P. HALE 
Daughter of Stephen Hale, Sr., and wife, Frances Bourne, and wife of 
Dr. William M. Mitchell 



Grayson County, Va. 135 

married to Mrs. Susan A. Palmore, formerly Miss Susan 
A. Price, of Cumberland county, Va. From this union 
have been bom five children, to-wit: Lillie Hale, May 
6th, 1872; Charles P. Hale, May 7th, 1874; Stephen P. 
Hale, Oct. 10th, 1876; Susan Albina Hale, bom Feb. 
7th, 1879, and died Oct. 22nd, 1880. Thomas Newton 
Hale was born, April 21st, 1881. 

"My oldest daughter, Sarah, spent about seven years 
in Mexico as a missionary in the service of the foreign 
missionary board of the Baptist Church, but her health 
failing, she returned home to recuperate, and is now at 
Carson and Newman College at Jefferson City, Tenn., 
teaching a class in Spanish. She expects to go back Lo 
Mexico when her health will permit. 

"Thomas N., the youngest, is still with us and has 
charge of the farm. All the others are married and settled 
on farms in the county. Lillie is the wife of George G. 
Florida; is the mother of five living children. Mary 
Elmh-a is the wife of Dr. W. N. Bicknell, and the mother 
of six living children; William is living at the place where 
I lived when you were at our home. These seventeen are 
all the living grandchildren I have. 

"My three oldest children are members of the Baptist 
Church. The four youngest, of the Presbyterian Church. 
My wife and myself belong to the Presbyterian Church. 

"You request that I state what has been my profession 
or vocation through life. 

"About twenty-two years— from 1843 to 1865—1 spent 
in teaching school; twelve years as Clerk and Master of 
the Court of Monroe county, from 1865 to 1877; about ten 
years in pretending to practice law. The balance of my 
time and attention has been devoted to looking after my 
farming and other interests. 

"For the last few years, I have been mostly confined 
to my rolling chair, though I am still able to ride little a 



136 Pioneer Settlers 

in the saddle or buggy. I was born in McMinn county, 
Tenn., and most of my life, my home has been in the 
two counties, McMinn and Monroe." 

Following is a copy of part of a letter from Miss Sarah 
A. Hale, written to the author from Jerusalem, Pales- 
tine, Dec. 6th, 1906: 

"I returned to Mission Field, Mexico, after my father's 
death, but my eyes, after one and a half years work, 
became so weak that I decided to come abroad for a 
year or cwo. 

"I sailed last March from Galveston, Texas; spent two 
days in Bremen, a few hours in Hanover, two days in 
Berlin, and two days in Dresden, sight-seeing, contin- 
ually; then on to Vienna, where I spent one night, then 
through Servia, Bulgaria, and ancient Macedonia, through 
the historic City of Phillippi to Constantinople. There I 
spent a week, then came down the Mediterranean to 
Athens, Greece, in a steamer crowded with Greeks going 
to the Olympic Games. I stopped a few hours at Athens, 
then went on same steamer to Alexandria, Egypt, from 
there to Jaffa and to Jerusalem, arriving here last April. 
I soon determined to spend a year here, to know the 
country in all seasons. 

"I made the overland journey to Nazareth and the 
sea of Galilee last spring, seeing Jacob's well, the ruins 
of Samaria, on the way; then visited Damascus and 
Baalbec, going and returning byway of Hafiaand Beyroot. 

"It was after my return to Jerusalem that I learned 
that Mr. P. L. Stanton and I have the same great-grand- 
father, Lewis Hale. It was a great pleasure for me to 
meet a relative in this land, so far from home. He has 
traveled a great deal in America, Europe, and the East. 
He is a voluminous writer and a fine conversationalist. 

"His piety and sound judgment have enabled him to 
accomplish good during bis sojourn in this city, and he 




MAJOR PEYTON G. HALE 
Son of William Hale and wife, Lucy Stone. He was one of the "Big Four" 



Grayson County, Va. 137 

has won for himself the confidence and esteem of all he 
meets." 

Following is a copy of a letter the author received from 
Peyton L. Stanton, who was then living in Jerusalem, 
Palestine, November 27th, 1906. 

*'I graduated at Emory and Henry College, in the 
class of 1876. In 1875 I was licensed to preach there in 
Washington county, Emory Circuit; was received on 
trial in the North Georgia Conference in 1877, ordained 
Deacon in 1879, and Elder in 1881. I wastransfenedto 
Denver Conference in 1882, and spent ten years in New 
Mexico and Colorado; then transferred to Calif on ia, and 
two years later went back to North Georgia Conference, 
of which I was a member until two years ago, when I 
was located at my own request. 

"On the 25th of this month, November, four years ago, 
I left New York for the East. I was first in Egypt for 
about three months, and then came over land from there 
in March. Jerusalem has been my headquarters since 
March 11th, 1903. I came here for some special study 
in connection with the land, the Book, and the people; 
I do not know when I will finish my work." 

Charles Hale was the fourth son of William Hale and 
wife, Lucy Stone. Charles Hale married first, Jane Suther- 
land of Elk Creek; firsUon^Fblden, married Tibitha Tom- 
blin; they have one^sonT James, who married a Bryant; 
one daughter, Mary, who married Mr. Gaither, of 
North Carolina. 

Second son. Creed Hale, went to Texas; married there, 
and has children. 

Third son, Johnston, married, first time, Caroline Os- 
bourne. Bridle Creek; one daughter who married William 
Hampton and moved to Oregon ; one son went west. Johns- 
ton married second time; has children. First daughter, 
Elvira Hale married Geo. W. McGuu-e, teacher, from 



138 Pioneer Settlers 

North Carolina; they moved to Missouri; have children. 

Second daughter, Rosa Hale, married Orville Moore, 
son of Isaac Moore and wife, Euphamia Jones; both 
died; no children. Fourth, Elizabeth Hale, married Alfred 
Mallory; sons and daughters. 

Third daughter, Sarah Hale, married Harvey Vaughan, 
of Knob Fork. They have sons and daughters. 

Charles Hale's second wife was Rosa Comer, daughter 
of Harvey Comer and wife, Elizabeth Bourne; their first 
son, Reese, married Theresa Comett, of Elk Creek; 
three sons, Charles, a Methodist minister; second, died; 
third, June, married a Reeves, 

Second son, Elbert Hale, married Nannie McLean, 
daughter of John M. McLean and wife; they have three 
daughters who live in Missouri. 

Lucy, first daughter of Charles Hale and Rosa Comer, 
married Rev. Thomas C. Vaughn, Spring Valley; their first 
son, Marvin, married Clyde McCamant, daughter of 
T. J. McCamant and wife, Ellen Hale; second son, John 
Vaughn, married Miss Rhudy; first daughter married 
Jack Porter; second daughter married Phillip Herington, 
lawyer, of Independence, Va.; they have one son, Thomas; 
third, Rosa Vaughn, married Sidney P. Whitman, of 
Wythe county, Va. 

Second daughter, Charlotte Hale, married George Delp, 
of Elk Creek; one daughter, married Roscoe Pbipps, 
Elk Creek, Va. 

Charles Hale's third wife, Mrs. Tabitha Bourne Hale, 
widow of Tivis Hale, had two daughters; Flora, who 
married Martin Comett, Elk Creek; one daughter, mar- 
ried; second daughter married Leonidas Ward, son of 
Ballard E. Ward and Amelia G. Nuckolls; sons:Everett, 
Gwyn, Leonidas; daughter, Ruth; one son, Basil. 

Montgomery Hale married Sarah Ann Anders, of 
Washington county, Va.; they had one son, Leonidas, who 



Grayson County, Va. 139 

died young; one daughter, Margaret Ellen, married 
William J. Comett,of Elk Creek. They have one son, 
Leonidas, who married Minnie Kiesling, Wythe county, 
Va., daughter of Emory Kiesling. 

Mrs. Amanda Hale married the second time, John M. 
McLean, of Guilford county. North Carolina; had four 
daughters and one son. Fu^t daughter, Mary, married 
Robert Clarke Hale, son of Eli C. Hale; one daughter, 
Gussie, married Jelane Rhudy. 

Second daughter, Nannie, married Elbert Hale, son of 
Charles Hale, of Knob Fork; they have two children; 
live in Missouri. 

Third, Sena, married Charles Bryant, son of Joseph 
Bryant, Bridle Creek, Va.; first daughter Zollie, married 
Ed Perkins, Hilton, N. C; Ada, Sena, Rosa, single. 

Fourth daughter, Sallie, married Edgar Phipps; lives 
on Bridle Creek. 

One son, John M., (2) married Miss Young; they have 
three children; live at Fries; he is cashier of Fries Bank 

The first son of Col. Eli Comett married Miss Ellen 
Scott, of Smyth county, Virginia; they have children 
and live in Missouri. 

Second son of Col. Eli Comett, Winton, went to Mis- 
souri. He is a merchant and banker; yet single. Winton 
accumulated a considerable amount of money, lived a 
quiet, industrious life. His health failed, and he is now 
in Grayson county; has retired from business and is 
spending his time with his relatives. 

Maj. Peyton G. Hale, youngest son of William Hale, 
married Jane Bourne, daughter of William Bourne, Jr., 
and wife, Mary Johnstone: one son, William, died single 
in Oregon; first daughter, Nannie, married Fielden Hale, 
son of Warner Hale and wife, Mary Cox. In the *'Foot, 
prints on the Sands of Time," I find this sentence, "Esq. 
David Cox, married Miss Jane Doughton, a patient, quiet. 



140 Pioneer Settlers 

good Christian, and faithful, good and affectionate wife, 
Hon. Fielden J. Hale, state Senator from Madison. 
Nebraska, is their grandson. ' ' They have one daughter. 
Miss Lee. 

Second daughter of Maj. P. G. Hale, Mary Ann, 
married Emory Kirby; they have two sons. Judge Robert 
Lee, and William Hale. Judge Kirby married Mary 
Boyer, of Elk Creek. 

Third daughter, Lucy, married William Perkins, of 
Hilton, N. C, they have two daughters; first, Catharine, 
married Maurice Hale, son of Eli Hale; live at Blue 
Springs, Va., and have two children; second daughter, 
Gertrude Perkins, single; two sons, James. 

The fourth daughter of Peyton G. Hale, Ellen, married 
Thomas J. McCamant; they had five daughters; first 
daughter, Blanche, married Clayton Higgins; they have 
one son, McCamant, and live in the old McCamant 
homestead in Old Town, Va. Second daughter, Lizzie, 
married Mr. Fred Armfield of Fish River, N.C.; they have 
two daughters and live in North Carolina on what was 
the old Gov. Franklin farm. Third daughter, Clyde, 
married Marvin Vaughn, son of Rev. T. C. Vaughn. 
They live at Spring Valley, Va. Fourth and fifth daughters 
Josie Hale, and Myrtle Lee, died young. The fifth 
daughter of Pejrton G. Hale, Lucinda, married Robert 
Garland Nuckolls; they live at the old William Hale 
homestead on Elk Creek; no children. 




Garland 



THE GARLAND COAT OF ARMS 



CHAPTER VI 

THE GARLAND FAMILY 

(Copied from the genealogical column of The Times- 
Dispatch, Richmond, Va.) 

** There were in England three Garland families en- 
titled to bear a coat of arms: one in York, one in Lincoln- 
shire, and one in Sussex. 

Family tradition says that the Sussex branch moved 
into Wales. Their common ancestor was a warden of 
the cinque ports, and as such was a lord entitled to a 
seat in Parliament, had entire jurisdiction, civil, military 
and naval, over the five ports, and lived in Dover Castle. 

The history of this distinguished family in America 
dates far back to Colonial times, beginning about the 
year 1650. Their descendants have wrought well, filling 
positions of honor and trust in the history of both church 
and state. They have intermarried with the chief families 
of the Commonwealth. 

The Garlands were in New Kent county in the seven- 
teenth century. The recoids of New Kent county are 
mostly destroyed, but there is one parish register preserved 
and in it is a record of Edward, son of Edward Garland, 
born May 20th, 1700. This baby, Edward, was the father 
of John Garland (5), who lived at Garland's Neck, Han- 
over county, Va. His children were, in the order of their 
birth, as follows: Thomas (4), who inherited the Neck by 
the law of primogeniture, and founded the Goochland 
branch of the family. 

Edward (4), Robert (4) (founder of the Louisa branch), 
James (4), John (4), Lucy (4), and Peter (4). 



142 Pioneer Settlers 

The third son (Robert) of John Garland (5) was the 
progenitor of men who did much in their day and gener- 
ation. James (4) (1722-1812) married Mary Rice, of 
Hanover county, whose mother was a Howlett, and soon 
thereafter, moved to Albemarle. He was acting magis- 
trate of Albemarle county, Va., in 1753, was associated 
with Gov. Nelson, and accumulated a fortune. 
. Nathaniel (5) was born in 1750; manied a Miss Rhodes. 
' John (5) (born 1751) died of camp fever in the Revo- 
lutionary war. 

James (5) (born 1753) married Annie Winfield, whose 
mother was a Hudson. He commanded the company 
detailed to guard the surrendered troops of Burgoyne. 
When officer of the day at Charlottesville he was shot 
by the sentry at night as he did not give the pass word. 
He had fom- children: Hudson (6), Henrietta (6), Spotts- 
wood (6), and James (6). 

Mary Garland was born March 20th, 1755, and married 
John Nuckolls, 1777. To them were born nine sons and 
one daughter. Mary Garland was a member of the 
Episcopal Church, and in her prayer-book (printed in 
MDCCLXI) are recorded the births of her children. 
(See Nuckolls chapter.) 

Charles Garland, a brother of Mary Garland, who 
married John Nuckolls, died single, and is buried in the 
Nuckolls cemetery in Grayson county, Va. Charles and 
Mary Garland were of the Louisa branch of the Garland 
family, and were bom in Louisa county, Va. In the latter 
years of their life, John Nuckolls and Mary Garland went 
back to Louisa county, died, and are buried there. 

Charles Garland was a Baptist minister. There is a 
story that he got upon a barrel one day to preach, 
and in the course of his remarks, he said that the faith of 
the Baptists was on a firm foundation, that they would 
never fall; he stamped his foot to emphasize the remark 



Grayson County, Va. 143 

and the head of the barrel fell through, and he fell with 
it. This circumstance, of course, broke up the meeting, 
but he no doubt continued to preach about the firm 
foundation of the Baptist faith. He was a good man, 
died with consumption about 1830, near Grayson C. H., 
Va. 

Hudson (6) Garland was father of Hudson (7), and 
also of General John (7) Garland, whose daughter married 
General Longstreet, and of Spottswood (7) Garland. 

Hudson (6) Gai'land represented Amherst county in 
the House of Delegates, was captain in the war of 1812, 
and an intimate friend of Andrew Jackson, who presented 
him with a cane made of a fragment of the Constitution, 
and, what was more valuable, a lucrative office which 
he held until Tyler's administration. 

Spottswood Garland (6) married Lucinda, daughter of 
Colonel Hugh Rose and Caroline Jordon, and had Hugh 
A., who married Anna Powell Burwell; Caroline, who 
married Maurice H. Garland; Landon Cabell, who married 
Louisa F. Garland. 

Landon C. Garland, LL.D., was president of Randolph - 
Macon College, president of University of Alabama 
and chancellor of Vanderbilt University, for a quarter 
of a century. His sister, Caroline, married Mauiice H. 
Garland, whose son was General Samuel Garland, of 
Confederate war fame. Hugh A. Garland was author 
of the life of John Randolph of Roanoke. 

Mrs. Rose Garland Lewis, daughter of the late Chan- 
cellor Landon C. Garland, of Vanderbilt University, died 
at her home in Birmingham, Alabama, October 29th, 
1913, aged seventy-four years. Her husband, Dr. Bur- 
well B. Lewis, was at the time of his death, some years 
ago. President of the University of Alabama. Mrs. Lewis 
was a devout Christian and faithful member of our church. 



144 Pioneer Settlers 

Many who knew and loved her sorrow because of 
her death. 

There were twelve children bom to Samuel Meredith 
Garland and wife, Mildred Jordan Powell. The daughter, 
Mildred Irvin, married Col. John T. Ellis. Martha 
Henry married Col. Thomas Whitehead. First son, 
Rev. James Powell, married Lucy Braxton, of Fredericks- 
burg, Va., a great grand-daughter of Carter Braxton, 
signer of the Declaration of Independence. Narcissa E. 
married Mr. Dillard, of Lynchburg, Va. Lucy Lee married 
Mr. Richardson, of New Kent county, Va. Ella Rose 
married Henry Wills; Jane Meredith married Willis 
Wills; Sally died in infancy; David Shepherd died single; 
Walter died in childhood; Paulus Powell married Lucy 
Ellis. 

Issue of the marriage of David Shepherd Garland to 
Jane Henry Meredith: Jane Meredith, who married 
Dr. Jno. P. Cobbs and moved to Indiana in 1840; Anne 
Shepherd, who married Dr. Gustavus A. Rose and moved 
to Indiana in 1840; Sally Armistead, who married Captain 
William Waller; Samuel Meredith, who married Mildred 
Jordon Powell; Mary Rice, who married Edward A. 
Cabell; William Henry, who married Frances Eubank; 
Patrick Henry, who married Miss Floyd; Eliza Virginia, 
who married George K. Cabell; Louisa Frances, who 
married Dr. Landon C. Garland; Caroline died single; 
Martha Henry died single. It is worth while to note 
that the average age of these eleven children was seventy 
years, while a majority, or six of them, lived to be eighty 
or over. 

David S. Garland was a man of ability and prominence. 
He represented his state in Congress during Madison's 
administration, represented his county (Amherst) in the 



.ip^Pir ' ■ ''^'t^. 



iM? 




LANDON CABELL GARLAND. LL. D. 
Son of Spottswood Garland and wife, Lucinda, Daughter of Col. Hugh Rose 



(Members of the Nuckolls family say that this picture of Landon C. Garland is an 
exact likeness of the author's grandfather, Robert Garland Nuckolls) 



Grayson County, Va. 145 

Legislature with distinction, for twenty-nine years; was 
a man of great public spirit and enterprise, and by his 
industry and great business capacity amassed a large 
fortune. 

His mansion, built for and owned by him, is now stand- 
ing in a fair state of preservation in the village of New 
Glasgow, about five miles from Amherst court house. 
In proximity to and in sight of the old Garland home, 
stands "Winton," the home of Colonel Samuel Meredith, 
whose daughter David S. Garland married. 

Col. Meredith was born in Hanover county, Va., in 
1732, and was captain in Colonel Byrd's Regiment, 1758, 
and for his services was granted to him July 11th, 1774, 
2,000 acres of land in Kentucky. In 1775 he was captain 
of an independent company from Hanover county, which 
on May 2nd he resigned in favor of his brother-in-law, 
Patrick Henry, and accepted a lieutenancy in the com- 
pany. 

He was a member of the Convention of May, 1776, 
and in 1778 he subscribed ;^500 to old Washington- 
Henry College in Hanover Town, and for several years 
was president of the board of trustees of the college. 

Rice (2) Garland was a distinguished member of Con- 
gress from Virginia, and afterwards Judge of the supreme 
court of Louisiana. 

Robert, bom in 1768, and Clifton, in 1769, concluded 
the children of James Garland and his wife, Mary Rice. 

William Garland, bom 1746, married Ann Shepherd of 
Amherst county; issue: David Shepherd; James, died 
single; Frances, married Mr. Pendleton; Mary, married 
Mr. Camden. 

David Shepherd Garland, bom 1769, married Jane 
Henry Meredith on March 4th, 1795, the daughter of 
Colonel Samuel Meredith and Jane Henry, his wife, who 
was a sister of Patrick Henry, the great orator and patriot . 



146 Pioneer Settlers 

In the family graveyard at Winton are buried Jane 
Henry Meredith and her husband, Hon. David S. Garland, 
and four other members of the Henry family. 

Samuel Meredith Garland, bom November 15th, 1802, 
married Mildred Jordan Powell, July 8th, 1830. He was 
by profession a lawyer. When quite yoimg he represented 
Amherst in the Legislature, was a member of the Reform 
Convention of 1850-51, and of the Secession Convention 
of 1861. He advocated the sovereignty of the States, 
and voted for the Ordinance of Secession. In his later 
years he was clerk of the Amherst court. He was imi- 
versally beloved ; was a lay reader in the Episcopal Church. 
He died in 1880, and is buried at Kenmore, Va. 

We cannot close this incomplete sketch of the Garlands 
without some reference to Hon. Hugh A. Garland and 
Hon. Augustus H. Garland. 

Hugh A. Garland was a brother of Dr. Landon C. 
Garland; was a member of the Virginia Legislature, 
clerk of the United States House of Representatives, 
a man of vast and varied learning and a writer of dis- 
tinction; author of the life of John Randolph. 

Augustus H. Garland was a scion of the Lunenburg 
branch, was a lawyer of national reputation, Governor 
of Arkansas, United States Senator, and attorney general 
in Cleveland's Cabinet. 

Garland Connection With the Pendletons and 
THE Cabells 

Lettie B. Pendleton married Hudson Martin Gailand; 

she was the daughter of Micajah Pendleton and Mary 

^^^ w^'V tu^/»H Cabell Horsley. Micajah Pendleton was a son of Philip 

l^ftK'' ^ ^ Pendleton, and nephew of the famous jurist, Edmond 

^^^' Pendleton. 

' Phillip Pendleton had fifteen children, and Micajah 

(so tradition has it) addressed Mary Horsley seventeen 





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THE GARRETT CEMETERY 
On the Banks of Coosa River, Near Centre, Alabama 



Grayson County, Va. 147 

times before she would consent to marry him. Mary 
Horsley was the daughter of William Horsley, who was 
the son of William Horsley and Mary Cabell, only daughter 
of Dr. William Cabell and his wife, Elizabeth Burkes 
Cabell. Bessie Powell married Rev. R. F. Wilson, D.D. 
Rev. James Powell Garland, D.D., gi-aduated at Emory 
and Henry College, June 10th, 1857, and joined the 
Virginia Methodist Conference in 1858, and was forty- 
seven years in the active ministry of this church, holding 
positions of honor and trust in that body. His long and 
useful life came to a close January 13th, 1906. 



CHAPTER VII 

THE JONES FAMILY 

(The author is indebted to The Richmond Times 
Despatch and The Toledo Blade for a good deal of the 
following infoimation in regard to the Jones family. 

The Despatch says: "James Jones is presumed to have 
been the first settler in Spottsylvania county, Va., and 
the question might be raised if he could have been 
the brother of Admiral Paul Jones, who visited him in 
1750, and after his brother's death, 1773, is said to have 
taken charge of his estate near Fredericksburg." 

The first name of Paul Jones' brother is not given, and 
indeed the name of Jones was assumed by Paul in 1773; 
yet we may presume that the Jones family of Spotts- 
sylvania were some of his Scotch family, who had pre- 
ceded him to Virginia, and that this James Jones was the 
immigrant." Paul Jones' father's name was John Paul 
and James Jones may have assumed the patronymic 
of Jones as his brother Paul did. This custom which is 
of classical authority has long been prevalent in Wales, 
and in various other countries, although it is not practiced 
in that part of the island in which John Paul Jones was 
bom. 

The life of Paul Jones has given rise to much romance. 
Cooper, Dumas and Allan Cunningham have celebrated 
him in their novels; and scarcely less fictitious are some 
of his so-called biographies. 

Every school boy is familiar with John Paul Jones as 
the founder of the American Navy, and the hero of many 
naval engagements. His is a most interesting character, 



Grayson County, Va. 149 

and the following short sketch of his life is inserted, as 
it will no doubt be of interest to the readers of this book. 
John Paul Jones (1747-1792) was bom July 6th, 1747, 
on the estate of Arbigland, in the parish of Kirkbean, and 
the stewartry of Kirkcudbright, Scotland, where his 
father, John Paul, was a gardener. At twelve, he went to 
sea as apprentice to a merchant of Whitehaven, in whose 
ships he visited America several times. He became a 
skilful sailor, and was for some time mate of a slaver 
in the West Indies. On his way back to England, after 
leaving the slave trade in disgust, the captain and mate 
of the ship in which he was, both died; and the skilful 
manner in which he brought the ship safely into port 
induced the owners to appoint him captain. In 1771, or 
thereabouts, he added the name of Jones to John Paul. 
There is a tradition that he and an old man by the 
name of William Jones, of South Carolina, had become 
fast friends. William Jones was a planter and owned a 
large estate. He wished to leave his estate to John Paul, 
and the latter added the name Jones to his name in order 
that he might inherit the estate and because William 
Jones wished him to assume the name of Jones. It is 
more than probable, however, that both John Paul 
and his brother James assumed the name Jones, as has 
been before explained in this chapter, because their 
father's name was John and they followed the established 
custom of assuming the patronymic. 

In 1773, Paul Jones inherited the estate of his brother, 
James Jones, in Spottsylvania county, and settled on it. 
When the American war of Independence broke out 
two years later, Paul Jones took up arms for the colonies, 
and accepted a command in the navy of the new republic. 
His engagement with the English ship, "Serapis," 
which, after a long and bloody battle, he compelled to 
strike, raised his fame to its acme. Later, he became a 



150 Pioneer Settlers 

Rear Admiral in the Russian Navy during the reign of 
Empress Catharine, but the jealousy and rivalry of the 
Russian commanders brought about his recall in less than 
eight months. He retired to Paris, where he died in 1792, 
at the age of forty-five years, and was laid in an unmarked 
grave, only discovered a few years ago. 

He writhed under the suspicion of being an "ad- 
venturer;" once and again he eagerly repels the charge. 
His character is illustrated by an incident told of his 
conduct in one of the hottest fights of the Revolution 
when he heard one of his ofl&cers cursing, — "Do not swear, 
Mr. Stacy," he said, "in another moment we may be in 
eternity; but let us do our duty." When called upon by 
the commander of the British frigate Serapis to surrender 
the battered American ship, Bonhomme Richard, he 
said, "Surrender? I have not yet begun to fight." 

When General Horace Porter, of New York, was United 
States Ambassador to France, he found the remains of 
Commodore Jones in an abandoned cemetery in Paris. 
Through General Porter's efforts, the remains were 
brought to the United States in 1908, and they now rest 
in a vault in the chapel of the United States Naval Acad- 
emy at Annapolis, Md. 

JOHN PAUL JONES' STATUE UNVEILED 

"Washington, D. C, April 17, 1912— With impressive 
military and civic exercises the magnificent memorial 
to John Paul Jones, the naval hero of the American Revo- 
lution, was dedicated in this city today. Congress appro- 
priated $50,000 for the memorial, which occupies a con- 
spicuous site at the main entrance to Potomac Park. 

"The President of the United States and members of 
the Cabinet, the diplomatic corps, justices of the Supreme 
Court of the United States, distinguished officers of the 
navy and the army, senators, representatives in congress 



Grayson County, Va. 151 

and many others prominent in ofl5cial life, as well as a 
large concourse of citizens, were present. Thousands of 
blue jackets of the navy, United States marines, soldiers 
of the regular army and of the National Guard and dele- 
gations representing patriotic and other civic organizations 
were assembled in parade as a tribute to the famous 
naval hero. 

"The memorial, the work of Paul H. Niehaus, the 
New York sculptor, was admired by everyone who saw it. 
In many respects it differs from other similar memorials 
erected in the national capital. It consists of a marble 
pylon of classic design as the back-ground for a colossal 
bronze figure of the intrepid naval commander of the 
early days of the republic. The pylon is a massive rec- 
tangular tower about fifteen feet in height. It occupies 
the center of an ornamental fountain, the water for which 
will come from the bronze heads of dolphins at each end 
of the pylon. On the back of the shaft is a large panel 
containing a bas relief representation of Commodore Jones 
raising the American flag on the historic ship Bonhomme 
Richard. 

"The Jones statue stands at the base of the monument 
in front of the pedestal. It is of heroic proportions, 
being about ten feet high. The great naval commander 
is shown in full uniform, with an expression and pose 
suggestive of his indomitable will and unconquerable 
spirit. Apparently he is watching a naval engagement. 
His right hand is clenched and his left hand clutches 
his sword. 

" In the die imder the statue is inscribed : 

"1747 First 1792. 

To compel foreign men of war to strike colors 

to the Stars and Stripes. 

"There are two inscriptions on the rear of the pylon. 
The first of these is on the stone forming the cap of the 



152 Pioneer Settlers 

shaft. It embodies the language popularly attributed to 
Commodore Jones when called upon by the commander 
of the British frigate, Serapis, to surrender the battered 
American ship, Bonhomme Richard. The inscription is 
as follows: 

" — Surrender? — 

"I have not yet begun to fight. 

"The second inscription is just below the bas relief 

representing Commodore Jones raising the United 

States flag for the first time on an American warship. 

It reads: 

"In Life he honored the Flag 
"In death the Flag shall honor Him. 

"Secretary of the Navy, Meyer, presided at the dedi- 
cation exercises and the memorial was unveiled by Admiral 
Dewey. President Taft addressed the assemblage and 
pronounced a splendid tribute to the valor and genius 
of the sailor and patriot and told of his daring deeds on 
the high seas. The exercises concluded with the oration 
of the day delivered by General Horace Porter, of New 
York, who, while United States ambassador to France, 
found the remains of Commodore Jones in an abandoned 
cemetery in Paris and had them brought to their present 
resting place in a vault of the chapel at the United States 
Naval Academy at Annapolis. 

"The United States Marine Band furnished the musical 
features of the dedication program. At the conclusion 
of the exercises a vessel of the navy stationed in the 
Potomac opposite the statue fired a regulation salute. " 

The following names are given by the Times-Despatch 
as being, many of them, sons and grandsons of James 
Jones and their descendants: 

Bartholomew, Bathurst, Churchill, etc. 

From Churchill we trace the Jones family that came 



Grayson County, Va. 153 

as pioneer settlers to what is now Grayson county, Vir- 
ginia. 

Churchill Jones married a Miss Minitree; issue : Minitree 
Jones who married a Miss Spottswood; issue: Rosamond 
Jones, Minitree Jones (2) and Spottswood Jones, and 
Churchill Jones (2) all of Revolutionary fame. A number 
of this J: nes family moved into this Southwestern part 
of Virginia, and settled in the forests on the waters of 
New River and its tributaries. 

William Bourne married Rosamond Jones, daughter 
of Minitree Jones and wife. Miss Spottswood, in Hanover 
county, Virginia. They emigrated to Southwestern 
Virginia, coming as far as Fort Chiswell in wagons. 
From Fort Chiswell, they packed their household goods 
across the Iron Mountains on horses, and settled on Knob 
Fork of Elk Creek, not far from where Elk Creek empties 
into New River. (See Bourne chapter.) 

(We insert the following clipping: "Announce wedding 
eleven years after," taken from the Washington Herald, 
as interesting in this connection.) 

"After keeping the news of their nuptial secret for more 
than eleven years, announcement was made yesterday 
of the marriage on August 1st, 1901, of George C. Lafferty, 
official reporter at the House of Representatives, and a 
prominent local clubman, and Miss Rosamond E. Jones, of 
816 Fifteenth street, N. W., daughter of the late Chrechill 
Jones, of Westmoreland county, Virginia. 

"Although the first formal announcement of the 
marriage was not made until yesterday, many of the close 
friends of the couple knew of the affair. For eleven years 
Mr. Lafferty and his wife lived separately and tried to 
keep the fact of their marriage a secret. The husband 
called daily at the Fifteenth street residence to see "Miss 
Jones, " and spent much of his time there, but neighbors 



154 Pioneer Settlers 

were of the opinion that he was merely the fiance and 
not the husband of the young woman. 

IN ATLANTIC CITY 

"Mr. and Mis. Lafferty are now at Atlantic City, N. J., 
supposedly on their long delayed honeymoon. Why the 
marriage should have been kept a secret for so many 
years, and why the couple should have undergone such 
long separation, although man and wife, is a mystery 
which will probably be solved only by a statement from 
Mr. and Mrs. Lafferty. Friends of the couple said last 
night that they were unable to tell the cause of the secrecy. 

"Mr. Lafferty is in the neighborhood of fifty-five years 
old. His bride is considerably younger, it is said. Mr. 
Lafferty comes from an old Virginia family. His home 
was originally in Richmond, and his father. Dr. Lafferty, 
was well known as a newspaper man of ability. For a 
time the son was employed as a stenographic reporter 
for the Virginia legislature at Richmond. 

"His father finally succeeded in obtaining for him a 
position in congress, and about twenty-five years ago 
he came to Washington as official reporter of debates in 
the house. He has held the position ever since. About 
twenty years ago he was married, but his wife died. 
According to the announcement made yesterday, he mar- 
ried Miss Jones in New Jersey, August 1st, 1901. 

were CHILDHOOD CHUMS 

"He had known Mrs. Lafferty from childhood in Vir- 
ginia. She was the daughter of the late Churchill Jones, 
who was well known in Westmoreland coimty. At the 
time of the marriage it is said that Miss Jones was living 
here. 

"Mr. Lafferty is a prominent Washinglon clubman. 
He is a member of the Metropolitan Club and makes his 



Grayson County, VA. 155 

residence there. For the last five or six years Miss 
Jones has been living in apartments at 816 Fifteenth 
street. Mr. Lafferty was frequently seen at the apart- 
ments, although he did not live there." 

William Jones came from Eastern Virginia, and settled 
on New River below the mouths of Elk and Meadow 
creeks, at a place where there was an island in the river. 

A road was made passing Jones' place, and a ford was 
made through the river, crossing the island. This was 
named "Jones' Ford," and was two miles from where the 
town of Greenville and Grayson Old Court House was 
located when the county of Grayson was formed in 1792. 

William Jones' daughter married Isaac Garrison. 
From this union there was one son, David, who married 
Sally Bourne, daughter of Stephen Bourne who had also 
moved from near Richmond and settled on Knob Foik. 

Isaac Garrison had one daughter who married Benjamin 
Shoupe. They lived on Elk Creek and have children. 

Elizabeth B., daughter of David Garrison and Sally 
Bourne, married Hastings Fulton, son of Samuel Fulton 
and wife, Martha Powell Jones. After the death of Wil- 
liam Jones, Isaac Garrison and wife lived at the old 
homestead, and the name of the Ford was changed to 
"Garrison's Ford." 

Afterwards, the land passed to David Garrison, and for 
two generations this was known as "Garrison's Ford" — 
for yeais the only ford on the river for crossing with 
wagons. 

After the death of David Garrison, the land passed to 
Hastmgs and Elizabeth Fulton's heirs, but was soon sold 
to Robert L. Dickenson. The ford is still used, but a 
ferry-boat is operated at the same place. 

Hastings Fulton and wife settled at the old Wm. 
Bourne Furnace, "Point Hope," at the falls of Peach 
Bottom creek. They had one son and three daughters. 



156 . Pioneer Settlers 

The son, Columbus, married Rosamond D. Edwards, 
granddaughter of Morgan Bryant and wife, Susan Hale, 
daughter of William Hale and wife, Lucy Stone, of Elk 
Creek. The son, Columbus, and wife live near the old 
"Point Hope" Furnace (now the site of an electric plant). 
They have one son, Robert S., who married Miss Bryant 
of Saddle Creek, a great grand-daughter of Joseph Bryant 
and wife, Sarah Hale. One daughter married Hicks 
Rhudy, attorney at Independence, Va., and one daughter 
married a Mr. Couch. 

Major Minitree Jones married Miss Martha Powell 
in Eastern Virginia. Their son. Major Abner Jones, also 
married Miss Hannah Fawbush of Eastern Virginia. 

Maj. Minitree Jones and family moved out and settled 
on New River, near the mouth of Elk Creek. 

His home place is now owned by John Dickenson, Jr. 

Maj. Minitree Jones was one of the pioneer settlers, 
aided in forming Grayson county in 1792, and was named 
as a magistrate in the commission given by Henry Lee, 
Governor of Virginia to organize the first court for Gray- 
son county. The oath of office as a magistrate was admin- 
istered to him by Flower Swift. (See "Proceedings of 
first court. ") 

Minitree Jones, Jr., and wife, Martha Powell, had a 
son, Powell Jones, who settled in Georgia. Powell Jone's 
son, Samuel Jones, was the father of the well known 
evangelist, Samuel Powell Jones, of Cartersville, Ga. 
Sam P. Jones was well known all over the United States 
as a preacher and lecturer. 

Maj. Abner Jones who was sheriff of Grayson county 
in its early formation was a son of Minitree Jones, Jr. 
Abner Jones lived on Steven's creek. He was appointed 
county surveyor, and held office in Grayson county for 
a number of years. 



Grayson County, Va. 157 

Abner Jones and Hannah Fawbush, his wife, had two 
sons, Spottswood and Churchill, and seven daughters. 
First daughter, Charlotte, married David Atkins and lived 
on Steven's Creek. One son, Greenberry Atkins, died 
single. One daughter, Elvira Atkins, first married a 
Hackler; two daughters of this union; one married a 
Mr. Neel, of Bland county, Va. Elvira married second 
time, Fletcher Boiles, of North Carolina. They have 
children; live on Stevens Creek, Va. 

Euphemia, second daughter of Abner Jones and 
Hannah Fawbush, married Isaac Moore, and lived near 
the old homestead. To them were born three sons, 
Spottswood D., Orville, and Churchill Fawbush. Spotts- 
wood married Miss Matilda Bayless of Tennessee; issue, 
two sons, one daughter. 

Orville Moore married Rosamond Hale, daughter of 
Charles Hale and wife, Jane Sutherland, of Knob Fork. 
No issue from this imion. Churchill Fawbush Moore 
married Mary A. Nuckolls, daughter of Clarke Nuckolls 
and wife, Rosamond B. Hale; issue, three sons, William, 
Arthur N. ; William died when he was about twenty-five 
years old. Arthur married Miss Moore, daughter of 
Orville Moore, and lives at the old homestead with his 
father and mother. 

Five daughters were born to Churchill and Mary 
Moore; Celia died single; Amelia married Mr. Miller, 
and lives in Winston, N. C; Rosamond B. married Mr. 
Lawson; they live in Ivanhoe, Va., and have one son; 
Lura, single; Leona, single. 

To Isaac Moore and wife were bom two daughters. 

First daughter, Matilda, married Joseph Comett; 
they had three daughters, and two sons. First daughter, 
married John Cooper, of Dobson, N. C. Second daughter, 
married Harvey Atkins; Third daughter, married. 



158 Pioneer Settlers 

First son, Heath Comett, married a Miss Tomlinson 
and moved to Illinois. 

Second son, Orville, married Miss Bartlett, and moved 
West. 

Isaac Moore's second daughter Minerva, married 
Creed L. Hanks. They live at Piper's Gap, Va. One son, 
Emmett Hanks, married Miss Lula Todd of Galax, Va.; 
issue, one son, died in infancy; one daughter. 

Emmett died in 1909. 

Flora, daughter of Creed Hanks and Minerva Moore, 
married Stephen Wilkinson, son of John Wilkinson and 
wife, Elizabeth Anderson, of Hillsville, Va. 

Stephen Wilkinson and wife, Flora Hanks, have one son 
and one daughter, Robert and Retta. They live in 
Galax, Va. 

Stephen Wilkinson is manager of the Galax Furniture 
Factory, and interested in the various enterprises of 
the town. 

Nancy Hanks was bom and brought up near Flour Gap, 
(now Piper's Gap) Va., on Blue Ridge, then Grayson 
county. When a young woman she went to Kentucky, 
manied Mr. Thomas Lincoln, and was the mother of 
Abraham Lincoln. 

Nancy Hanks was of the same family as Creed L. 
Hanks. She was a woman of fine physical organization, 
and of great force of character, and possessed of shrewd 
practical common sense, combined with deep religious 
feeling and great gentleness of manner. She taught 
Abraham Lincoln to read and write, and although but 
nine years of age when his mother died, Lincoln had 
received the lasting impress of her power for good in his 
deepest life. Three favorite maxims she had thoroughly 
instilled into his mind — never to swear, never to touch 
liquor, and never to lie. These three things he never did. 



Grayson County, Va. 159 

He said when President, "All that I am or hope to be, 
I owe to my sainted mother." 

Celia, third daughter of Abner Jones and wife, married 
Andrew Nuckolls, of Wythe county, Vu-ginia, son of 
Nathaniel Nuckolls, bom in Louisa county, Virginia, 
January 3rd, 1739. 

From this imion there were three sons and four daughters. 

One daughter, Cynthia, married James Johnston and 
lived m Hillsville, Va. (See Nuckolls chapter.) 

Olive, daughter of Maj. Abner Jones, married John 
Worrell about the year 1820. The history of the Worrell 
family dates back as far as 1066, when Sir Herbert Worrell 
lost two sons at Hastings and was presented with two 
coats of arms in recognition of their merit. The Worrell's 
came to this country during its early settlement and 
became prominent factors in its development. Records 
in Philadelphia show that Richard and John Worrell 
were deeded lands, where Philadelphia now stands, by 
William Penn. 

Richard and John had a brother named James, who 
settled in what is now Carroll county, Va. (then Mont- 
gomery), about the year 1780. This James was the father 
of Esau,Sr., who was the father of a large family, of which 
was Captain John Worrell, who married Miss Olive Jones 
about the year 1820. 

In 1910, Malcolm Lee Worrell was appointed to the 
U. S. Naval Academy by Congressman C. B. Slemp, 
and the following article appeared in the Tazewell Re- 
publican: 

"Following his appointment to the Naval Academy, 
Malcolm Lee Worrell, of Pulaski, has just passed all 
entrance requirements, and now wears the brand of 
Uncle Sam in a midshipman's uniform. 

"Young Worrell's ancestry dates back to James Jones, 
a brother of Admiral Paul Jones, the founder of the 



160 PoiNEER Settlers 

United States navy. In 1773, Paul Jones took charge of 
his brother James's landed estate near Fredericksburg, Va. 
James Jones' wife was a Churchill. They had a son 
named Churchill, who married a Miss Minitree. From this 
union we have Minitree Jones, who married a Miss 
Spottswood. From this union we have Rosamond Jones, 
Minitree Jones, Jr., Churchill Jones, Jr., and Spottswood 
Jones, all of Revolutionary fame. Maj. Minitree Jones 
married Miss Martha Powell, a highly educated lady, 
and from this union we have Abner Jones and Martha 
Powell Jones. Martha married Samuel Fulton, and their 
son. Creed Fulton was an eminent teacher and evangelist, 
and founded Emory and Henry College. 

"Abner Jones married Miss Hannah Fawbush. From 
this union were two sons, Churchill and Spottswood, 
and six daughters. 

"One daughter, Olive, married Captain John Worrell 
about the year 1820. From this union we have Churchill 
Fawbush Worrell, Maj. C. Columbus Worrell, Carinne, 
and Minerva E. Worrell. Carinne died single; Minerva 
married Harbert Kenney. Churchill Worrell married 
Mary Ann Ballard. From this union, one son. Dexter, 
A. L., who married Rose E. Lyons; their third son, Mal- 
colm Lee, is the young midshipman of this sketch. 

"It was Isaac Worrell, Sr., who delivered the address 
of welcome to Gen. Lafayette and the veterans of the 
Revolution at their Reunion in Philadelphia in 1824. 
Isaac Worrell, Jr., son of Isaac, Sr., was commissioned 
brigadier general in the British war of 1812. 

"Malcolm Lee Worrell was bom in Hillsville, Carroll 
county, Va. He was educated at Roanoke College, 
Salem, Va., and V. P. I., Blacksburgh, Va. Previous 
to his present appointment, he was in the employ of the 
Norfolk and Western R. R. at Bluefield, W. Va." 

Maj. C. Columbus Worrell, son of Capt. John Worrell 



Grayson County, Va. 161 

and Olive Jones, is a worthy and useful citizen of Carroll 
county. He mairied first, Miss Latitia Ward; from this 
union, three sons, two daughters. His second wife was 
America V. Watson; from this union, four sons, one 
daughter. His third wife was Mrs. Rosa Beamer, nee 
Cox. 

Minerva E. Worrell, daughter of Capt. John Worrell 
and wife, Olive Jones, married Harbert Kenney of Crooked 
Creek, Carroll county, Va. From this union, one daughter 
married Thomas Jones and lives near Woodlawn, Carroll 
county, Va. They have one son, Elmer Jones. 

One son of Minerva Worrell and Harbert Kenney, 
married and lives near Woodlawn, Va. 

Jessee P. Worrell, brother of Capt. John Worrell, 
married Rebecca Cooley, daughter of Benjamin Cooley 
and wife, Jane Dickey. He lived a while on Little Reed 
Island, but later moved to Missouri. 

Esau, Jr., and Amos Worrell, brothers, lived on Little 
Reed Island, and reraed families. Two sisters, Nancy 
and Sallie. Nancy married Joel Franklin; lived near 
Hillsville; one daughter, Tima Franklin, married Mr. 
Staples. Two sons, Esau and Powatan Franklin live near 
Hillsville, Va. 

Sally Worrell married Mr. Paul; kept hotel in Hillsville; 
married second time, James Crockett. They had no 
children. 



CHAPTER VIII 

THE CORNETT FAMILY 

Up to about the year 1871, the Comett family of 
Grayson spelled their name Canute; in all their business 
transactions it was written Canute, and some of the older 
people still spell it and pronounce it that way. The family 
tradition is that they are descended from King Canute of 
England. The following is copied from Montgomery's 
English history: 

Canute (1017-1035) Seveyn the Dane, conquered 
England (1013). "All the people,*' says the Chronicle, 
*' 'held him for full king.' " He was succeeded by his 
son, Canute, (1017). He was from beyond the seas, 
but could hardly be called a foreigner, since he spoke a 
language and set up a government differing but little 
from that of the English. 

After his first harsh measures were over, he sought 
the friendship of both Church and people. He gave the 
coxmtry peace. He rebuked the flattering of courtiers by 
showing them that the in-rolling tide is no respecter of per- 
sons; he endeavored to rule justly, and his liking for the 
monks found expression in his song: 

"Merrily sang the Monks of Ely, 
As Canute the King was passing by." 

CANUTE'S PLAN; THE FOUR EARLDOMS. 

Canute's plan was to establish a great Northern empire, 
embracing Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and England. 

To facilitate the government of so large a realm, he 
divided England into four districts: Wessex, Mercia, 



Grayson County, Va. 163 

East Angelo, and Northumbria, which, with their depend- 
encies, embraced the entire country. 

Each of these districts was ruled by an Earl invested 
with almost royal power. For a time the arrangement 
worked well, but eventually discord sprang up between 
the rulers. Their individual ambitions and their efforts 
to obtain supreme authority imperiled the unity of the 
country. 

William Canute, Sr., was an early settler on Elk creek, 
now Grayson county, Virginia, and is said to be a descend- 
ant of King Canute, of England. 

He married Jennie Sutherland, a daughter of John 
Sutherland, Sr., and wife, Elizabeth Bryan. 

In the history of the Bryan family, written by the wife 
of William Jennings Bryan, she states, "The great grand- 
father of William Jennings Bryan bad a brother, Francis 
Bryan, and a sister, Elizabeth Bryan, that moved west 
from Eastern Virginia, and the family has lost trace of 
them." 

In the early settlement of Southwest Virginia, Francis 
Bryan and his sister, Elizabeth Bryan, came to Fort 
Chiswell and the Lead Mines; from there they crossed 
the Iron Moimtain and settled on Elk Creek. Elizabeth 
Bryan married John Sutherland, Sr., and brought up a 
family of sons and daughters. Francis Bryan married 
Phoebe Woodruff, and moved from Elk Creek to Ashe 
county. North Carolina. 

John Sutherland's family were originally from Scot- 
land. 

William Canute, Sr., and wife, Jennie Sutherland, had 
a large family; all settled on Elk Creek. 

Their first son, Col. Eli Canute, married Sena Hale, 
daughter of Richard Hale and wife, Elizabeth Stone. 
They have two sons: first, Capt. William Comett; sec- 
ond, Wiley Winston Comett. They also had six daugh- 



164 Pioneer Settlers 

ters: Matilda, Elizabeth, Amanda, Elvira, Theresa, and 
Jennie. 

The second son, Levi Cornect, married Olive Hale, 
daughter of Dudley Hale and wife, Mary Burroughs. 
They had seven sons: first son, Francis Cornet t, married 
first. Miss Austin, of Elk Creek, Virginia; had sons and 
daughters; his second marriage was to Miss Jane Dan- 
iels, of Elk Creek; they also had sons and daughters. 

The second son of Levi Comett and wife, Olive Hale, 
George W. Cornett, married first. Miss Herbert; they 
had one son, Thomas. He married the second time, 
Miss Sarah Gentry, daughter of Col. Allen Gentry and 
wife, Rebecca Reeves. Judge Cornett is a lawyer, rep- 
resented Grayson county in the Legislature, and was 
judge of the county court. He has been a useful and 
worthy citizen of Grayson county for many years. 

He has four daughters and one son, by his second wife. 
His son, Munsey, is a lawyer; married and has children. 
First daughter. Myrtle, married Rev. Kelly Boyer, member 
of the Western North Carolina Conference. 

Second daughter, Rebecca, married first, Mr. — , 

of Richmond, Virginia. 

The second time married Frank Sanders, son of John 
L. Sanders, Chilhowie, Virginia. 

Third daughter, married Prof. Morgan Cheek, Prin- 
cipal of Elk Creek High School. 

Third son of Levi Cornett, William, first married Callie 
Delp; had one daughter, who married a Mr. Copenhaver, 
of Smyth county, Virginia. William second time, mar- 
ried Miss Fisher Asbury, Wythe county. One son, 
Thomas, married Miss Lundy, daughter of Ellis Lundy 
and wife, Alice Hale. 

Fourth, Zach. M., married Gazilda Cecil, of Pulaski 
county, Va. and lives there; has children. 

Fifth, Miles Foy, was a noble young man; died single. 



Grayson County, Va. 165 

Sixth, Lewis K., married Nannie Warrick; he was 
representative in Legislature of Virginia from Grayson 
county the second time; has two children. 

Friel, the youngest son, who lives at the old homestead, 
is a worthy citizen; he married Miss Hester Ring; one 
son, Romulus Ring; four daughters; first, Isabella, mar- 
ried Col. William Mitchell; two daughters; Martha mar- 
ried John Cecil, of Pulaski county; moved to Texas; 
have children. Nancy married Mr. Steffy, Wythe county, 
Virginia. 

Second, Nancy, married Lewis Perkins; no children. 

Third, Elvira, married James Cornett; live on Elk 
Creek; have children. 

Fourth, Theresa, married Carson Andis; one daughter, 
married Robert Carson; one married Noel Tomlin, Jr. 

The third son of William Canute and wife, Jennie 
Sutherland, was Francis Cornett, Sr. He married Miss 
Catherine Fulton, daughter of Samuel Fulton and wife, 
Miss Martha Powell-Jones. (See Fulton and Jones 
families.) 

There were three sons: First, Samuel Monroe Cornett, 
married Jane McCarty, of Elk Creek. Prof. Fielden R. 
Cornett married Malissa Copenhaver, of Smyth county, 
Virginia. 

The third son of Francis Cornett and wife was Peyton 
H. Cornett, who married AmeUa Cox, daughter of Enoch 
Cox and wife, Susan Thomas, of Bridle Creek, Virginia. 

There are also two daughters of Francis Cornett and 
wife: the first, Amanda, married Van Buren McCarta; 
the second, Martha Powell, died single. 

The fourth son. Col. Alexander Cornett married 
Jemima Rhudy. Their sons: Friel N., James P., William 
J., Stephen H., and Eli C; daughters: Martha, Elizabeth, 
Theresa, Charlotte, and Nancy. 



166 Pioneer Settlers 

William Cornett, Sr., and wife, had three daughters: 
First, Charlotte D., married William Rhudy; had a 
family of sons and daughters. 

Lucy H. married Andrew Porter; they had sons and 
daughters; lived on Elk Creek. 

The third daughter of William Cornett and wife was 
Margaret. She married Rev. Abraham Elliott, a local 
Methodist preacher. Mr. Elliott and his wife first set- 
tled on Meadow Creek, near Grayson C. H.; afterward 
moved to Elk Creek to the Cornett mills; from there to 
Independence, Virginia. For some time they kept Hotel 
Elliott at Independence. Mr. Elliott was a tinner by 
trade; was a useful, industrious, good man; he and his 
wife both died and are buried at Independence. They 
brought up a family of sons and daughters; all settled 
in and around the town of Independence. Their youngest 
daughter, Margaret, married William Wright, editor of 
the "Grayson Journal." Mr. Wright has been editor 
of this paper for over forty years at Independence, Vir- 
ginia. 

William Cornett, Sr., was an energetic, enterprising 
citizen, and brought up and trained his family for useful, 
industrious citizens of their country. 

Elk Creek is a bold, swift mountain stream, flowing 
through a beautiful valley, and emptjdng into New River, 
furnishing fine water power. 

William Cornett, in the early days, built a mill for 
grinding grain, also a saw mill, and a carding machine for 
carding wool. These mills were on the banks of Elk 
Creek, and were used by the settlers for many miles 
around. 



CHAPTER IX 

THE COX, OSBORNE, PHIPPS, HASH, AND 
REEVES FAMILIES 

In the time of the early settlement of this country, there 
were, of course, few families, and they so inter-married 
one into the other that it is hard to write of them separ- 
ately, so I will, in this chapter, give these families together. 

About the year, 1740, David Cox and John Cox, two 
brothers, came from Scotland to Virginia. They both 
located in what is now Grayson county, on New River, 
about ten miles west of Grayson Old Court House. 

John Cox was captain of the Home Guard, or Regu- 
lators, during the Revolutionary war. He built a fort 
on a ridge at the mouth of Peach Bottom Creek, over- 
looking New River; supplies for the Fort were packed 
on horses from the Lead Mines in Wythe county. 

It is said that there is yet a tree marked at a point 
on New River, near the mouth of Meadow Creek, show- 
ing the Old Trail from the Fort to the Lead Mines. 
This is on the farm of John Austin, who is a descendant 
of John Cox. After the Revolutionary war, Capt. John 
Cox moved up the river to the mouth of Cranberry Creek, 
on the South Fork of New River, opened up a large farm 
there, and is buried there in the family graveyard. Most 
of his family settled in Ashe county, N. C; he had two 
sons, James and Joshua, and five daughters. 

David Cox, brother of Captain John Cox, moved his 
family and located on the river near where his brother 
jfirst settled, near what is now Cox's Ford, ten miles west 
of Grayson Old C. H. David Cox's wife was a Miss 
McGowan; they had eleven sons and three daughters. 



168 Pioneer Settlers 

One of these sons, Samuel, known as Sheriff Sam Cox, 
married Rebecca Osborne, and reared a large family 
on the New River farm. Two of his daughters married 
brothers, John Blevins and Samuel Blevins, Three of his 
sons married sisters, Alexander married Miss Polly Osbom; 
Calloway married Miss Nancy Osborn; Samuel, Jr., mar- 
ried Miss Phoeba Osbom, and lives at the old homestead 
where Samuel Cox, Sr., lived. They, and their families, 
live in the same neighborhood, near the mouth of Little 
River; they are true types of their patriotic ancestors. 

Another son of David Cox and wife. Miss McGowan, 
Joshua Cox, married Miss Ruth Osborne, and settled on 
Bridle Creek, in a rich and fertile valley, which industry 
and enterprise have developed into fine farming lands. 
Joshua Cox was a good citizen, and did much towards 
advancing the best interest of his neighborhood. They 
reared five sons, John, David, Harden, Samuel, and Isom; 
also three daughters, Hannah, Jennie, and Margaret. 
John Cox married Miss Nellie Ward ; Esquire David mar- 
ried Miss Jane Doughton, and lived on New River; 
his daughter, Mary, married Warner Hale. Harden Cox 
married Miss Nancy Reeves, a zealous Christian, and 
active worker in the Methodist Church. 

Harden Cox served his country as a justice of the peace 
for many years, and was assessor when Grayson and Car- 
roll were all one county; their eldest son fell in the Con- 
federate Army, a brave soldier. 

Esquire Elbert Sevier Cox lived near the old homestead; 
he first married Rebecca Hale, daughter of Mastin Hale 
and wife, Susan Perkins, of Elk Creek; his second wife 
was Miss Jane Hampton, daughter of Alexander Hamp- 
ton and wife, Jestena Fulton, who was daughter of Samuel 
Fulton, Sr., and wife, Martha Powell- Jones. 

Joshua McGowan Cox and family ived at the old 
family residence, near Independence. Enoch Cox, another 



Grayson County, Va. 169 

brother, married Miss Susan Thomas, an amiable, good 
woman; their daughter, Molhe, married Zachariah 
Osborne, Jr. 

Samuel Cox married Miss Elizabeth Thomas, daughter 
of Jonathan Thomas and wife. Patience Bourne; they 
lived on Bridle Creek; he and his amiable Christian wife 
reared an intelligent and worthy family. 

Capt. Meville B. Cox, their son, a prominent citizen, 
contributed much for the improvement of society and 
his country. His wife was Miss Martha P. Fulton, a 
lady of cultivated intellect and refinement. Capt. 
M. B. Cox and wife, were both members of the Methodist 
Church, South, having been brought up in the nurture and 
admonition of the Lord. Their example in the family 
circle will live when they are gone from this life. Their 
sons and daughters are following the example of their 
parents. 

Emeline, daughter of Samuel Cox and Elizabeth 
Thomas, married Harden Cox, Jr., and lived on Potato 
Creek. They were active and exemplary members of the 
Methodist Church, built an elegant home, and have done 
much for the community and county in which they live. 
Their son, Charles, and wife, live with their mother, in 
their happy home of beauty and comfort, the fruit of 
their labor. 

Caroline, another daughter of Samuel Cox and wife, 
married Mr. Bridges; they had one daughter. Miss Vir- 
ginia Bridges, who married Verda Hampton; they have 
one son, Samuel Cox Hampton. Mrs. Hampton died 
young, but she had accomplished her work, and died in 
the triumph of the Christian's hope; she leaves an influence 
that will live while she sleeps. Her mother lives with 
Mr. Hampton and his little son, Samuel C, and will 
train the little boy for usefulness in this life. 



170 Pioneer Settlers 

The youngest son of Samuel Cox, and wife, 
McGowan, died suddenly at the old homestead when a 
young man. His death was a shock to the family, but he 
rests in peace. Thomas Cox married Miss Ransom of 
Washington county, Va. ; he was sheriff of Grayson county; 
he and his wife were Christians, and brought up a nice 
family of sons and daughters, who reflect honor on their 
parents. 

Dr. Everett Cox was a practicing physician; also a 
Methodist preacher. He married Miss Scott, daughter 
of Rev. Andrew Scott, of Rye Valley, Smyth county, Va. 
They have two daughters. 

Miss Jinsey Cox, daughter of Samuel Cox and wife, 
married Mr. Bartley, of Eastern Virginia; they have one 
daughter, Bessie, who married Dr. Halsey, of Wilson. 

Margaret married Enoch Reeves, of Grayson; they had 
sons and daughters. Ruth married John Calloway and 
they lived on New River; had one son. 

Isom Cox married Miss Jincy Phipps, daughter of 
Joseph Phipps and wife. Miss Nancy McMillan; Mrs. 
Cox was an intelligent, energetic lady, and a blessing to 
her family. They were among Grayson's best citizens, 
and largest farmers. Isom Cox owned the land where 
Bridle Creek Academy and Methodist Church are located. 
He did much for church and state; was ever ready to 
assist in any laudable enterprise for the good of society. 
He and his faithful wife were members of the Methodist 
Church, South. Their example is a priceless heritage 
to their children, and the children have honored their 
parents by following their example. 

Third daughter, Ruth, married Thomas Worth, son 
of David Worth and wife, Elizabeth Thomas. 

Third daughter, Bena, married Alexander P. Bryant, 
son of Lewis Hale Bryant and wife. Miss Drucy Phipps. 

Their two sons, Haywood and Joseph, fell in the Con- 



Grayson County, Va. 171 

federate Army. Nobler young men and better soldiers 
never honored an army or country. Joseph married Miss 
Emma Phipps, daughter of Alexander Phipps and wife, 
Ludema Thomas; no issue. 

There were five daughters of Isom Cox and his wife. 
Emeline married William H. Bryant, son of Joseph 
Bryant and wife, Sarah Hale. They brought up a nice 
family. Nannie married Columbus Phipps, of Bridle 
Creek, Va. (See Phipps family.) Elizabeth married 
Preston Reeves; lives on New River. 

THE OSBORNE FAMILY 

Esquire Enoch Osborne settled on New River, near 
Bridle Creek; this for many years was known as the 
Osborne settlement. Enoch Osborne had three brothers, 
Solomon, Ephriam, and Johnathan, who came to this 
country with their families about the same time, and 
settled on New River, near together. 

A fort was built on the farm now occupied by Joshua 
Osborne and son, John, at Ancella Post Office. Indian 
depredations were common on the border settlements, 
and preparations for protection and defence were necessary. 

It was fortunate for society that the first settlers were 
people of moral worth and piety. 

Enoch Osborne's wife was a Miss Hash. He and his 
wife were Christians, and aided very much in planting 
the standard of Christian civilization over the land that 
was so recently inhabited by savages. 

Their home was a resting place for the wayworn trav- 
eling preachers. The venerable Bishop Asbury called 
with them, rested, and took refreshments, as he was 
making his ministerial tours through this newly settled 
country, preaching the gospel. 

It was at the old Fort where Esquire Enoch Osborne, Sr., 
first located a home. 



172 Pioneer Settlers 

An incident occurred with the Osborne brothers, in 
their newly occupied territory, that tells of the dangers 
and exposures to which pioneer settlers were subjected. 

Enoch Osborne and brothers, Solomon and Ephriam, 
went into what is now Watauga, N. C, on a hunting 
trip, deer being plentiful in that section. Getting wet by 
a shower of rain, and wet bushes, they struck up camp 
in the evening, and lay down to sleep and rest, hanging 
up their clothes by the camp fire to dry. The Indians 
surprised them by shooting into the camp and killing 
Solomon Osborne; an Indian chased Enoch some distance, 
and lost him in the dark. Ephriam, after fleeing from 
camp carefully crept back in the dark to his horse that 
was fastened with a hickory bark halter to a tree, loosed 
him and rode home. Enoch returned home without shoes, 
and in his night clothing. These facts are gathered from 
Mrs. Mary McMullen, wife of Hon. Lafayette McMullen, 
member of Congress, from Scott county, Va., for several 
sessions. Mrs. McMullen, before her marriage, was Miss 
Mary Woods, granddaughter of Solomon Osborne, who 
was murdered in the camp by the Indians. 

Up to the present day, the Osborne family have lived 
in Grayson county; some have moved to the West, 
while quite a number have remained as worthy, indus- 
trious citizens of their native county. 

Solomon Osborne, Jr., married Hannah Cox, lived at 
the old fort on New River, and on the same farm his 
son Joshua now lives; others of this family live in the 
same community. 

Zachariah Osborne married Miss Jincey Burton, a 
lady of deep piety, a faithful wife and affectionate mother. 
Zachariah Osborne and wife brought up a large family 
on the river near the fort; three daughters, Mary, Nancy, 
and Phoebe, married three brothers, Alexander, Galloway, 
and Samuel Cox, Jr. Mahala married Joshua Cox; 



Grayson County, Va. 173 

Biddie married David Cox; one married Daniel Boyer; 
Caroline married Johnston Hale. Margaret married 
John Phipps, of Saddle Creek. 

Their son, Enoch Osborne, married Miss Cox; Allen 
married; Floyd married Miss Rosa Hale, daughter of 
Warner Hale and wife. Miss Mary Cox; Preston married 
Miss Isabelle Cox; Zachariah, Jr., married Miss MoUie 
Cox; both the above Isabelle and Mollie were daughters 
of Enoch Cox and wife. Miss Susan Thomas. 

Floyd Osborne and Preston Osborne both settled on 
Meadow Creek, near Old Town, and have brought 
up their families there. Emmett P. Osborne, son of 
Floyd Osborne, married Miss Mary Williams, daughter 
of Hyram Williams and Miss Jane Brown. He lived on 
the old Brown farm on Meadow Creek; died at the 
Jefferson Hospital, Roanoke, Va., from an operation 
for appendicitis; he leaves a wife and six children. 

Thomas H. Osborne, youngest son of Floyd Osborne, 
lives at the old homestead on Meadow Creek. 

John H., another son, lives on Rock Creek, Va. 

THE PHIPPS FAMILY 

Benjamin Phipps came from Rowan county, N. C; 
settled on Bridle Creek; his brother, Isaiah, and the 
Hash family, came also about the same time. Benjamin 
Phipps married Miss Jane Hash, an excellent, good woman; 
she lived to be nearly one hundred years old; lived to 
see her children and grandchildren to the fourth gener- 
ation. 

Their son, Captain Joseph Phipps, married Miss Nancy 
McMillan, daughter of John McMillan, a native of 
Scotland, and a man of letters. He came to Ashe county 
and settled on Elk Creek. He brought his excellent 
wife with him from Scotland. He was an extensive 
farmer and good citizen, and was first clerk of Ashe 



174 Pioneer Setttlers 

county. His family had the industry and watchfulness 
in business affairs peculiar to their nationality. 

Captain Joseph Phipps and wife settled on Saddle 
Creek, Va., and he was one of Grayson county's best 
farmers, — a man of great energy, and a successful manager 
of business. He acquired a handsome amount of property, 
and reared a worthy family. He and his excellent wife 
went down to their graves, honored, loved and respected. 

They had three sons, John, Alexander, and Joseph 
Phipps, Jr. John Phipps married Miss Margaret Osborne 
and settled on Saddle Creek; they reared a nice family. 

Alexander Phipps married Miss Ludema Thomas, 
daughter of William Thomas, and settled at the old 
Field's place. Bridle Creek; they have two sons, Colum- 
bus and Stephen Phipps; they live on Bridle Creek. 

Columbus Phipps married Miss Nannie Cox, daughter 
of Isom and Jincey Cox. Mr. Phipps has used more 
than ordinary energy in all that pertains to temporal, 
business and religious duties. His faithful services as 
the superintendent of the Sunday School have done much 
to advance the number of its members and interest. The 
home of Mr. Phipps and excellent family shows what 
industry and economy can do. He has a fine farm, 
improved stock, and stately dwellings. He and his son 
are also doing a good business in the mercantile line, 
selling dry goods. His youngest daughter, Rosa, mar- 
ried Rev. French Wampler of the Holston Conference, 
now at Fountain City, Tennessee. 

Stephen Phipps married Miss Mattie McMillan; 
has a nice home near the old homestead, and has a nice 
family. 

Alexander Phipps and wife had three daughters; 
first, Rosamond, married Mathew Dickey, Jr.; second, 
Martha married Dr. Martin Dickenson; lived at Inde- 
pendence, Va. 



Grayson County, Va. 176 

Emma married Joseph Cox, son of Isom Cox and wife. 
He died in the army and his wife died soon after he did; 
no issue. 

Joseph Phipps, Jr., married Miss Cynthia Bourne, 
daughter of Stephen Bourne, of Knob Fork; they had 
two sons: Dr. John Phipps, who married Miss Cora Miller, 
daughter of Rev. Charles K. Miller and wife, Miss Mattie 
Young. They lived at Rural Retreat, Va. 

Second son. Con Phipps, lives at the old homestead, 
which his father inherited from his father, Captain 
Benjamin Phipps, on Saddle Creek. 

There were two daughters, first Etta, married Ken 
Bryant; lives on Saddle Creek; their daughter married 
Dr. Robinson; they live at Woodlawn, Va.; one daughter 
married Robert C. Fulton. 

One daughter of Joseph Phipps and wife married Mr. 
Miller, of Rural Retreat. 

Capt. Joseph Phipps had seven daughters. Rena 
married Fielding Young; Jincey married Isom Cox; 
Emily married Dr. Fleming Thomas; Mazy married 
Stephen H. Bryant; Jane married Stephen M. Dickey; 
Dnicey married Louis Hale Bryant, and Nancy married 
John M. Dickey. This family of Capt. Joseph Phipps 
has been a great benefit in the settlement and improve- 
ment of Grayson county. 

When we look around over this country and see the 
highly cultivated and well-stocked farms with splendid 
buildings; when we count the prosperous towns and villages, 
with their schools and churches and good government, 
and then contrast the present conditions with those of 
the early days, when there were only a few white settlers 
in a wild Indian country, with just a few forts and block 
houses for defense, we appreciate all the more the courage 
and bravery and industry of our ancestors, and the 



176 Pioneer Settlers 

heritage of peace and the comforts of life which are 
ours as the result of their labors and their economy. 

The Reeves family were also pioneer settlers, and as 
they are so blended with the Cox, Osborne, Phipps and 
Hash families, we will give a short sketch of them in 
this chapter. 

George Reeves and family came from Drewry's Bluff, 
below Richmond, Va., and settled on New River, about 
six miles from Independence. He, like all the other 
pioneers, used good judgment in selecting the situation 
for his home, and lived there until the close of his life, 
and his home, like many others has remained in the hands 
of his posterity. 

The sons of George Reeves, and wife are Jesse, William, 
George, and John. Their daughters, Anna, Charity, 
Mary, and Susan. Jesse married Miss Terrill, moved up 
the river to mouth of Peak Creek; William married Miss 
Terrill; George married Miss Jane Osborne, a woman 
of high order of talent, kind, industrious, and pious. 
He moved up the river, and lived where Esquire Charles 
Doughton lived. He was an energetic business man, 
and while serving his county as an officer, he was shot 
and mortally wounded. He left a widow and seven 
children: Jesse, Enoch, George, Mary, Nancy, Rebecca, 
and Cynthia. 

John Reeves married Miss Phoebe Osborne, of whom 
it may be said she was a true type of womanhood in all 
that was good and lovely. John Reeves and family 
occupied the old homestead; their son, Osborne Reeves, 
married Rebecca Osborne, of whom it may be well said 
she was truly a helpmeet. Mr. Reeves was an elder in 
the Protestant Methodist Church. His son, John Reeves, 
Jr., fell in the Confederate army. The testament in his 
left vest pocket was cut through with the bullet that 



Grayson County, Va. 177 

took his life. Osborne Reeves and family moved to 
Georgia. 

Col. George W. Reeves married Miss Caroline Thomas, 
daughter of Esquire Stephen Thomas and wife, Miss 
Rebecca Perkins. Col. George W. Reeves lived near 
Jefferson, Ashe county, N. C. 

Jesse A. Reeves married his cousin, Charity Reeves. 

John Reeves, Jr., the youngest son of John Reeves, Sr., 
married Miss Mary Reeves, an amiable lady, and resided 
at the old homestead. They had the honor, and pleasing 
task of taking care of their parents in the evening of life. 
Mr. Reeves died when comparatively a young man. 
His body, with his father, John Reeves, Sr., and his sainted 
wife and mother, rests in the family graveyard, awaiting 
the trumpet to call them in the resurrection morning. 

Preston Reeves, son of John, Jr., and widow, Mary 
Reeves, married Miss Elizabeth Cox, daughter of Isom 
and Jincey Cox of Bridle Creek. Mr. Reeves and wife 
by prudence and economy have provided well for the 
home comforts of life, following the example of their 
noble and praiseworthy ancestors. 

The daughters of John Reeves, Sr., were Lucy, who 
married Esquire James Gambill; Miss Mahala, who 
married Rev. Samuel Plummer; Miss Polly Reeves, who 
married Marshall Calloway. 

Enoch Reeves, son of George Reeves and wife, Miss 
Jane Osborne, was a Primitive Baptist preacher, reared 
a nice family; his sister, Nancy Reeves, married Esquire 
Harden Cox; another sister, Rebecca Reeves, married 
Colonel Allen Gentry. He and his wife were devoted 
members of the Methodist Church, South. Their son, 
Capt. George W. Gentry, married Miss Caroline Whitman; 
their daughter, Cynthia, married Capt. James H. Parks; 
another daughter, Sarah, married Judge George W. 
Comett, of Elk Creek, Grayson county, Va.; the third 



178 Pioneer Settlers 

daughter, Martha, married Rev. Joseph B. Doughton; 
the fourth. Miss Ellen, married William Hardin. Dr. 
L. C. Gentry married Miss May Hamilton; Reed Gentry 
married Miss Ludema Thomas, daughter of Dr. Flem- 
ing Thomas and wife, Miss Emily Phipps. Reed Gentry 
had one daughter. Miss Reed Gentry, who married Judge 
James Padgett, of Independence, Va. 

The Hash family came from Rowan county, N. C., 
about the same time that Enoch Osborne, Benjamin and 
Isaiah Phipps came and settled on New River. Enoch 
Osborne married a Miss Hash; Benjamin Phipps married 
Miss Jane Hash. (Their decendants are given with the 
Osborne and Phipps families.) 

There are quite a number of citizens of this Hash 
family living in the west end of Grayson county, and 
they were men and women of prominence in the early 
settlement of the county, but time and space forbid us 
tracing this and many other families. 



CHAPTER X 

The first attorney for the court of Grayson county, 
Vh^nia, was Alexander Smyth. I will give a copy from 
the first records of the Courts of Grayson. 

"Alexander Smith, gent., produced license signed by 
Richard Carey, Henry Tazewell and Edmond Winston, 
permitting him to practice as an attorney in the inferior 
and superior courts within this commonwealth and hav- 
ing taken the oath prescribed by law is admitted to 
practice in the courts." 

Another Copy 

"Alexander Smith is appointed Deputy Attorney for 
the Commonwealth in this Court which is ordered to be 
certified to and it is further ordered that he be allowed 
the sum of twenty pounds in the levy the present year as 
a compensation for his services for one year from this 
time." 

A Copy From the Obituary of Mrs. J. M. McTebr. 

"Mrs. McTeer was first Miss Frances Stuart Smyth, 
daughter of Greneral Alexander Smyth (for whom Smyth 
county, Virginia, was named), an officer of the war of 
1812 and a member of Congress from 1817 to 1825 and 
1827 to 1830. General Smyth was the mover in organizing 
the county of Wythe and was the first representative in 
the Legislature from Wythe county, Va. 

General Smyth was son of Rev. James Smyth, clergy- 
man of the Episcopal Church, who was sent by the author- 
ities of England to take charge of Botetourt Parish, which 
embraced all the country lying west of the Blue Ridge. 



180 Pioneer Settlers 

Rev. James Smyth's mother was Frances Stuart and 
her husband was of the nobility of the house of the Stuarts, 
and held quite a large landed estate in the north of Ireland. 
General Smyth was bom on the Island of Rathlin twelve 
miles from the north coast of Ireland and brought to 
this country when only five years of age. Young Smyth, 
at the proper age, obtained license to practice law and soon 
rose to distinction at the bar. He was located at Fincastle 
and attended the courts at Abingdon, Va. 

There were no railroads then and traveling was done 
on horseback and stage. It was on one of these trips 
to attend Court in Abingdon that the young lawyer 
stopped at a cabin three miles below Wy theville to warm, 
it being a cold and most disagreeable day. 

His temporal wants were attended to by the bright, 
rosy cheeked, beautiful daughter of the mountaineer with 
such queenly grace and modest manner that the young 
lawyer was entrapped by her. 

After this he made Mr. Pinkley's house a convenient 
stopping place and in due course of time the young lawyer, 
Smyth, married Miss Nancy Pinkley and their marriage 
license was the first to be recorded in Wythe coimty 
court, 1791. 

General Smyth after his marriage settled on Cripple 
Creek, in Wythe county, Va., on the Mountain Park farm, 
and his daughter. Miss Frances Stuart Smyth, was bom 
there December 2nd, 1806. She was married to Col. James 
H. Piper, of Culpeper coimty, Va., the 9th day of Febru- 
ary, 1824. 

Col. Piper and wife settled on Cripple Creek on a part 
of the Mountain Park farm at Speedwell Furnace. He 
for years represented his district in the Senate ; also was 
a man of sterling worth; did much for the development 
of his country, especially Wythe and Grayson counties. 
He was a civil engineer, finely educated; was called to 



Grayson County, Va. 181 

locate roads across our mountains; located the road across 
Blue Ridge at Piper's Gap, leading from Grayson C. H. 
to Mount Airy, N. C. He was on the location of the 
Wytheville and Raliegh turnpike through Wythe 
and Grayson, when he was taken sick and died at the 
Grayson Sulphur Springs on the 8th day of September, 
1854. 

On the second day of March, 1857, Mrs. Rper was 
married to Rev. John M. McTeer, of the Holston Con- 
ference. Mrs. Piper joined the Methodist Church at 
Asbury Camp Ground, CrippleCreek,Va., 1840. When she 
joined the church she consecrated all to the Lord and for 
forty-two years was a devoted, exemplary Christian. 
Her house was opened for preaching and in the parlor 
at Speedwell regular services were held, until the church 
was built on the Ward farm, at Speedwell. Col. Piper 
is buried at the Speedwell Church. 

There was no issue, but Mrs. McTeer brought up from 
childhood, three boys. Piper Catlett, son of Rev. Thos. 
K. Catlett, and Canari D., and James Piper McTeer, 
sons of Rev. J. M. McTeer. These are sons of McTeer 's 
first wife. Miss Kelly. This daughter of General Smyth 
did much for the welfare of her country and for the 
church in all the adjoining counties. 

Gen. Smith had another daughter, Miss Malvina Smith, 

who married Mathews. They also settled on the 

Moimtain Park farm. Cripple Creek, and raised a large 
and very interesting family of sons and daughters, who 
did much for Wythe, Smyth and Grayson counties. 
One daughter. Miss Nancy Mathews, married Benjamin 
Rush Floyd. Another daughter, Miss Dorthula Mathews, 
married Dr. James Robertson, of Culpeper county, Va. 
They settled at Grayson C.H.and lived there a number 
of years. Dr. James E. Robertson was a nephew of 
Col. James H. Piper. 



182 Pioneer Settlers 

One son, Richard Mathews, was an attorney, lived at 
Grayson C. H., and practiced law in Grayson; also Carroll 
county, after Carroll county was cut off from Grayson. 

One son, Alexander Mathews, married Miss Pierce, 
of the Lead Mines. He settled on Cripple Creek and 
raised and introduced thoroughbred stock cattle into 
Southwest Virginia. Did much for Wythe and Grayson 
counties in improving the grazing stock of short-horn 
cattle. 

While General Alexander Smyth lived in Wythe county 
he did much for the county of Grayson, aided very much 
in establishing in the county her laws and her office 
holders in its early formation, and the citizens of Grayson 
were devoted to his memory. 

Also Col. Samuel McCamant, to whom we refer in these 
sketches, was a lawyer and life-long friend of Gen. Smyth. 
McCamant did much for Grayson and Wythe coimties. 
He lived and died in Grayson, a worthy man. 



CHAPTER XI 

THE DICKEY FAMILY 

Mathew Dickey came over from North Carolina in 
the early days, and settled on Peach Bottom Creek, in 
what is now Grayson county. 

He was one of the magistrates of the first court of 
Grayson county, held at the house of William Bourne, 
May 21st, 1793 (see copy of court record. He and 
William Bourne were both interested in the old Point 
Hope Furnace at the falls of Peach Bottom Creek. (See 
Bourne history.) 

Mathew Dickey lived on the west side of the creek, 
and William Bourne on the east side. 

Mathew Dickey married Miss Rebecca Wiley, and a 
number of his descendants are still living in Grayson 
and other portions of the country — useful and prominent 
citizens. 

His son, James Dickey, Esq., married Elizabeth Bourne, 
daughter of Stephen Bourne, son of William Bourne and 
wife, Rosamond Jones. (See Bourne family.) 

There were eleven children of this family, six sons and 
five daughters. William R. married Martha Hale, 
daughter of Lewis Hale; their son, James, married Miss 
Taylor, of Mt. Airy. N. C, whose first daughter married 
Charlie Bourne; second daughter married Thomas 
Dobyns. 

James' second wife was Miss Vaughn, daughter of Col. 
Wiley Vaughn, of Independence, Va. ; no issue. William 
Dickey's first daughter, Mary, married John Wiley; 
second daughter, Cynthia D., married William Warren; 
issue: one daughter, married Rev. Terry Fulton. 



184 Pioneer Settlers 

Stephen Dickey married Miss Jane Phipps, daughter 
of Benjamin Phipps and wife, Nancy McMillan. Stephen 
Dickey was a Baptist minister, and a major. He and his 
wife were very useful citizens. They built a comfortable 
home on Peach Bottom Creek near Independence, Va., 
and reared a family of three sons. Dr. John R. Dickey, 
and Dr. James Alexander Dickey, both live in Bristol, 
Tenn. They are successful business men and men of 
influence, both in church and state. 

Friel Dickey, the youngest son of Stephen Dickey, 
married Miss Nannie Comett, daughter of Col. Alexander 
Cornett and wife, Mina Rhudy. They had two daughters, 
Rosa and Eunice. Friel Dickey and his wife lived on 
Peach Bottom Creek, near Independence, Virginia. Both 
died young. 

Matterson Dickey married a Miss Wiley of North 
Carolina. They moved to Texas, and some of their 
children live in Texas. One daughter married J. Hurst 
Dickey of Marion, Va. 

Mathew Dickey, Jr., married Miss Rosamond Phipps, 
daughter of Alexander Phipps and wife, Lucinda Thomas; 
issue: two sons and two daughters. Alexander Phipps 
was quite successful in business, but died in Florida while 
still a young man. He never married. 

John Mc, youngest child, lives at the old homestead 
on Peach Bottom Creek. He is a successful farmer and 
stock raiser; still single. 

The first daughter. Miss Allie, married Mr. W. T. 
Berry, of Lynchburg, Va. They live in Lynchburg, and 
have one daughter, Rosamond; one son, Steele. 

The second daughter, Martha, married Gamett Davis, 
only son of Col. Alexander M. Davis and wife, Mary 
Dickenson. Gamett Davis inherited his father's home 
place in Independence, Va., and lives there. His wife, 
Martha, died in 1910, leaving a family of four sons. 



Grayson County, Va. (I 185 I -n^-y 

John M. Dickey married Nancy Phipps, daughter of *^^^^^^^yL 
Joseph Phipps, Sr., and wife, Nancy McMillan; issue: ^ dj-^^J 
four daughters. First daughter, Minnie, married Alex- ^n "TT W 
ander M. Dickenson, attorney at law at Marion, Va., ' ^ 
youngest son of John Dickenson and wife, Rosamond .^ * 

Hale. Second daughter married Mr. Porterfield, of ^/-"^-'V^ *-^^, ^ 
Washington county, Va. Third daughter married "'U- Va^Wv 
Joseph Delp, of Elk Creek, Va. Fourth daughter married ^2i^ i 

Mr. Lincoln, of Marion, Va. y~ ^ { ^-m<^* 

Ellis Leftwich Dickey married Miss Dillard, of Eastern i^ \wj^.v« 
Virginia; issue: one son, Albert, one daughter. For a *^ ^ 
number of years, the office of county clerk was held by 
the Dickey family, at Independence, Va., and Ellis ^.^ (^ ^^^ 
Dickey was, for several years, deputy clerk. . -#-*— 

Jane, the first daughter of James Dickey and wife, ^i^-^^*^ 
married Samuel Thompson, of Alleghany county. North pi^ '^* / 
Carolina. /)^I^ fi 

The second daughter, Cynthia, died single. V- ( /Xs^iM^.v.... 

Third daughter, Nannie, married Stuart Mathews "Yvw<'*>-'^ 
from Wythe county, Va. They moved to Texas; issue: j. 

two sons. Stuart Mathews was a grandson of General "^v^.-.^P^^mJ 

Alexander Smyth. ^ 

The fourth daughter, Martha, married Lee Fredericking fSA^*"'*'^ ' 

(a German) and lived at Independence, Va.; issue: two ''^0*,...^%^ *' 

sons, one daughter. They afterward moved to Hinton, .-"^-''^^nr i 

W. Va. 

The fifth daughter, Elizabeth, married Fielden J. 

Lundy, son of George Lundy and wife, Miss Thomas; S'fw 

issue: two sons, one daughter. 
First son, Ellis L. Lundy, man-ied Alice Hale, daughter 

of Rev. Wiley D. Hale and wife, Martha Mitchell; issue: 

two sons, four daughters. First son of Ellis Lundy, 

Clarence, married Maud Sutherland, daughter of Capt. 

Wm. M. Sutherland, of Hillsville, Va. ; is a clothing mer- 



t/yi^ 



186 Pioneer Settlers 

chant at Mt. Airy, N. C; issue: three children. Second 
son, Fielden Hale, married Miss Busic. 

Second son of Fielden J. Lundy and wife, Fitzhugh 
Lee, married Rosa Busic. They live at the Lundy home- 
stead in Independence, Va. 

One daughter of Fielden J. Lundy and wife, Leona, 
manied Dr. Koontz, a prominent physician. They live 
in Independence, Va. Fielden J. Lundy was county 
court clerk for nearly forty years. He was faithful and 
competent and knew more of the business of the courts 
than any other man. He was well known and honored 
by all. He lived a Christian life, and died in the triumph 
of a Christian faith, and the hope of an eternal life in 
heaven. (See Lundy history.) 

Mathew Dickey, Sr., and wife, Rebecca Wiley, had a 
daughter that married Benjamin Cooley, Esq. Dr. Aras 
B. Cox, author of "Footprints on the Sands of Time," 
says, "No modern Tubal Cain could have excelled him 
as an artificer in his superior skill in working metals. 
He made some of the finest clocks in the United States. 
One of these clocks was purchased by John McMillan, 
of Alleghany county, N. C, and it not only kept the 
usual order of time, but the days of the week and the 
month, and the changes of the moon. Esquire Cooley 
was a useful and honored citizen, and had an intelligent 
and highly respected family." 

Benjamin Cooley, Esq,, was among the early settlers 
of that part of Grayson that is now Carroll county. He 
lived on Coal Creek. 

There were but few clocks or time pieces in the country 
at that time. The twelve o'clock mark for the sunshine 
in the open door on the floor, was the only way many of 
the pioneers could tell the time of day. Esq. Cooley 
decided that he would go to Salem, N. C, and get the 
Moravians to teach him how to make clocks. Upon 



Grayson County, Va. 187 

arriving there he found that they demanded what he 
thought a big price to teach him, and he swore that he 
would not pay the price, but would learn to make clocks 
by himself. 

William Bourne, living on Knob Fork, owned a fine 
Grandfather Clock. The works were brass, and in addi- 
tion to the time of day, the changes of the moon were 
shown. It was the first clock ever brought into Grayson 
county. After Mr. Cooley returned from North Carolina, 
he went to see Mr. Bourne and asked him if he might take 
the pattern of his clock. Mr. Bourne consented, and 
Mr. Cooley took the clock to pieces and made patterns 
of all the running works. From these patterns he made 
clocks and sold them all over the country. The old Bourne 
clock is still running, and is owned now by Mrs. Ruth 
Nuckolls Johnston, of Cleveland, Tenn. 

She is the sixth generation from William Bourne 
and Rosamond Jones. Mrs. Johnston has other time- 
pieces, but she says the old Grandfather Clock keeps 
the best time of them all. 

The case of the clock is rosewood veneer, with inlaid 
blocks of different kinds of wood, and brass trimmings. 
It is an eight-day clock with heavy iron weights, and is 
wound up with a key. 

Benjamin Cooley and his wife, Jane Dickey, had two 
sons; first son, Martin Cooley, married Catherine Currin, 
daughter of Maj. George Currin and wife, Martha Swift. 
They had two sons; moved to Oregon. Second son, 
James Cooley, married Caroline Higgins, daughter of 
Thomas Higgins and wife, Mary Edwards. Their first 
daughter married Robert Jones, and lives in Galax, Va. 
One daughter, Fannie, married Henry C. Nuckolls; 
died at Quinton, Oklahoma, 1911. 

One son, Frank, single; one son, Rufus, a minister in 



188 Pioneer Settlers 

the Christian Church; two sons, teachers; one son, George, 
teacher and farmer. 

Rebecca Cooley married Jesse P. Worrell. They 
moved to Texas, and have sons and daughters. Amanda 
Cooley married Logan Roberts of Mt. Airy, N. C; died 
without issue. 

Julia Ann Cooley married Mr. Price; was for a number 
of years a teacher; no issue. 

Benjamin Cooley had a brother who married Mary 
Hanks, and lived on Coal Creek near Benjamin Cooley's. 
This brother had a large family of children. One daughter, 
Matilda, married John Carico, son of Rev. William 
Carico. They established a home near Providence 
Camp Ground, and reared a large family of sons and 
daughters, who made useful citizens. 

One daughter married Peter Beamer; lived near 
Fancy Gap, Va. Andrew Cooley, a son. 

Harden Cooley, a Methodist minister. Andrew and 
Harden lived in Knoxville, Tenn. 

James Cooley, son of Andrew Cooley, married Laura 
Johnston, daughter of James B. Johnston, of Hillsville, 
Virginia. 

Benjamin Cooley, Jr., lived and died at the old home. 
All of these were useful men, had nice families, most of 
them members of the Methodist Church, and died in 
the Christian faith, and their posterity show to the 
world the benefits accruing from good ancestry and 
parental training. 

A COPY FROM LINEAGE BOOK 

"National Society of the Daughters of the Amer- 
ican Revolution 

"John Dickey commanded a company of Carolina 
Militia at Ramsour's Mills. His widow applied for pen- 



Grayson County, Va. 189 

sion, 1844, in Rowan county, and it was allowed for 17 
months actual service in North Carolina line." 

Mathew Dickey, Sr., married Rebecca Wiley, in North 
Carolina; moved to Grayson county, Virginia; died in 
Grayson county, Virginia. Date on tombstone — "Died 
June 15, 1827, age 75 years." 



CHAPTER XII 

THE GOODYKOONTZ FAMILY 

The following is copied from a manual compiled and 
pen-written by Jasper Goodykoontz; published by 
Jasper Goodykoontz, Atlanta, Indiana, 1908. 

Descendants of David Goodykoontz 

"Sometime before the Revolutionary War, about 
1765, David Goodykoontz (formerly spelled Gutekunst) 
and a brother emigrated from Wurtemburg, Germany, 
to the United States, settling in the vicinity of Chambers- 
burg, Pa. David subsequently removed to Virginia 
and settled near the present town of Floyd, which is 
the county seat of Floyd county, and his brother went 
farther southward, but was never afterward heard from. 
David was bom in Germany about 1740, and died near 
Floyd, Va., about 1815. About 1768 he married Mar- 
garet , who died in March, 1819, and was buried 

in the home cemetery four miles from Floyd. 

The following are their children: First, Mary M. 
Goodykoontz (1769-1860), who married George Phlegar 
(1762-1839) about 1789. 

Second, Polly Goodykoontz (1771-1867), who married 
William Gilham (1775-1831). 

Third, George Goodykoontz (April 23, 1773-September 
13, 1824), P. O., Floyd, Va., who married Mariam Beaver, 
September 4, 1800. 

Fourth, Margaret Goodykoontz (January 25, 1775- 
September 8, 1851), P. O., Floyd, Va., who married 
Abram Phlegar (1776-1865), December 12, 1797. 



Grayson County, Va. 191 

Fifth, Elizabeth Goodykoontz (1776-October 6, 1858), 
P. 0., Floyd, Va. ; never married. 

Sixth, Jacob Goodykoontz (1780-1818), who married 
Beaver. 

Seventh, Eva Goodykoontz, (1786-1867), P. 0., 
Floyd, Va., who never married. 

Eighth, Daniel Goodykoontz, (1784-September 16, 

1843), P. 0., Anderson, Indiana, who married 

Beaver. 

Another authority (a great-grandson of David Goody- 
koontz), said that David Goodykoontz had nine daughters, 
that three of the daughters married Phlegars, and one 
married a Mr. Stipes. He also said that the brother 
who went southward went to New Orleans, and that 
David Goodykoontz is buried at Chambersburg, Pa., 
but his wife, Margaret, is buried at the old Lutheran 
Church, near Floyd C. H. There are Goodykoontz's at 
Rocky Hollow, S. C. 

The three brothers, George, Daniel and Jacob, bought 
a large tract of land near Floyd, Va. George's portion 
of the tract was one thousand acres. 

The Goodykoontz home (five miles from Floyd C. H., 
on the West Fork of Little River) was originally an old 
Indian block house, built between 1775 and 1790. The 
remodeled house, as it now stands, was built in 1854. 
David and Isaac Goodykoontz, sons of George Goody- 
koontz and Mariam Beaver, inherited the home place, 
and lived there together for sixty-six years. After David's 
death (in 1871) Isaac, who was a bachelor, continued to 
live at the home place. He afterwards married Mrs. 
Amanda Cecil, and lived until 1884. The estate then 
passed into the hands of William Goodykoontz, third 
son of David, who lived there until about 1900. William 
sold the estate and removed to Roanoke, Va., so the 
estate has passed out of the hands of the Goodykoontz 



192 Pioneer Settlers 

family, after having been owned by them for over one 
himdred years. 

David and Isaac Goodykoontz were equal partners 
in business — fanning and buying and selling cattle, 
and Isaac was a member of the State Senate of Virginia. 
They are both buried in the family burying-ground near 
the old home. 

David Goodykoontz gave two sons, George and William, 
to the Confederate army. Both were desperately wounded, 
but recovered and lived many years after the close of 
the war, and reared large and useful families. 

During the war, the Goodykoontz family suffered much 
from the demands of the soldiers, but more from that 
imprincipled band that infested all neighborhoods — 
the Bushwhackers. 

There was a large bam near the house, the first story of 
which was of stone. The Bushwhackers burned this bam. 
At the time of the burning, there were thirteen horses 
in the bam, wagons, farming tools, grain, hay, etc. Every- 
thing was lost. 

The marauders came another night, and attempted 
to rob and bum the dwelling-house. Two or three old 
gims had been left in the house, and after a number of 
shots had been fired into the house, the family fired 
from the inside and wounded one of the men of the party. 
After this, they left without doing any further damage. 

The children of George Goodykoontz and Mariam 
Beaver are as follows: first, Catherine; second, Rebecca; 
third, David ; fourth, Archibald ; fifth, Isaac ; sixth, George ; 
seventh, Alfred M.; eighth, Rachel; ninth, Nancy; tenth, 
Adeline; eleventh, Washington; twelfth, Polly. 

Catherine married Moseby Le Seuer; P. 0., Camp 
Creek, Va., children: first, Martel, married Sarah Phlegar; 
P. 0., Camp Creek, Va.; children: Elbert J. Le Seuer, 
Belle Fontaine, South Dakota. Alice Le Seuer married 



Grayson County, Va. 193 

Mr. Hawety, P. O., Camp Creek, Va. Flora Le Seuer, 
married Mr. Van Fleet, Neasho, Mo. Second, James 
W., married Nancy C. Yearout, P. 0., Floyd, Va.; 
children: first, Ellen (Le Seuer) Turner, River, Va.; 
second, Eliza A. (Le Seuer) Sowers, Floyd, Va.; third, 
Charles W. Le Seuer, Johnson City, Tenn.; fourth, 
John R. Le Seuer, Wallace, Va.; fifth, Catherine C. 
(Le Seuer) Shell, Elizabethton, Tenn.; sixth, Jennie V. 
(Le Seuer) West, National Soldier's Home, Tenn.; 
seventh, Thomas Le Seuer, River, Va.; eighth, Crockett 
Le Seuer, Bristol, Tenn.; ninth, Foster Le Seuer, 
Bristol, Tenn.; tenth, Lucy C. (Le Seuer) Weaver, 
Elizabethton, Tenn.; eleventh, Richard Le Seuer, Bristol, 
Tenn.; twelfth, Mary Le Seuer (died in infancy); 
thhteenth, Edwin F. Le Seuer (died in infancy). 

Rebecca Goodykoontz married James Le Seuer, 
P. 0., Alumine, Va.; children: George W., Mary F. 
(Le Seuer) Spillsman, Elizabeth, Catharine, and Dollie. 
David Goodykoontz (December 8, 1805— March 
15, 1871) married Ruth Harter, (November 8, 1830). They 
lived at the old Goodykoontz homestead, and their 
children are as follows: 

First, Henry M.; second, Mary Fletcher; third, Eliza- 
beth; fourth, Julia; fifth, George W.; sixth, William; 
seventh, Alfred; eighth, Adeline; ninth, Nancy Rosetta; 
tenth, Ellen; eleventh, David; twelfth, Millard. 

Henry M. Goodykoontz married Amanda Wade, 
P. 0., Santoo, Va.; children: First, Winton Goodykoontz, 
San Antonio, Texas; second, Lou Ella Goodykoontz, 
Sweet Springs, W. Va.; third, Webster Goodykoontz, 
Sweet Springs, W. Va.; fourth, Edward Goodykoontz, 
Sandy Bluff, W. Va.; fifth, Flora Goodykoontz, Sweet 
Springs, W. Va.; sixth, Ida H. (Goodykoontz) Allison, 
Allisonia, Va. 



194 Pioneer Settlers 

Mary Fletcher Goodykoontz married Rev. B. F. 
Nuckolls, of Holston Conference, M. E. Church, South 
(author of this book), November 6,1865; P. O., Galax, 
Va.; children: first, Willie David; second, Rosa Ellen; 
third, Ruth Frances; fourth, Isaac Clark. (See Nuckolls 
history for further data.) Mary Fletcher Goodykoontz 
Nuckolls died at Galax, Va., November 21, 1910. Eliza- 
beth Goodykoontz died young of scarlet fever. 

Julia Goodykoontz married Rev. B. W. S. Bishop, 
of Holston Conference, M. E. Church, South. They 
owned a home at Emory, Va.; children: first, Charles 
McTyiere Bishop; second, Lucy; third, Mattie; fourth, 
David Horace Bishop. 

Charles McTyiere Bishop graduated at Emory and 
Henry College, joined the Holston Conference, married 
Miss Phoebe Eleanor Jones of Asheville, N. C, and 
transferred to the Missouri Conference in 1888. In 1911, 
he was elected president of the Southwestern University 
at Georgetown, Texas., and resides there with his family. 
He is an able man and an eloquent preacher; is a member 
of the Commission on the Federation of the Methodist 
Churches of America. 

His children are as follows: First, Phoebe Eleanor; 
second, Mary Martha; third, Charles (died young); 
fourth, Roseboddie; fifth, Hendrix. 

Lucy Bishop died when she was about twenty-two years 
old. Mattie Bishop married Mr. John Price, son of 
Dr. R. N. Price, of Holston Conference. Mr. Price died 
in 1903, leaving three sons, Charles, John, David. The 
three sons reside with their mother at Welch, W. Va. 
David Horace Bishop was educated at Emory and He' ry 
College and Vanderbilt University. He now occupies 
the chair of English in the University of Mississippi. He 
married Miss Mary Hartwell Somerville, of Oxford, 
Mississippi. 




Benjamin Floyd Nuckolls and wife, Mary Fletcher (Joodykoontz, 
and Eldest Son, William David Nuckolls 



Grayson County, Va. 195 

Julia Goodykoontz Bishop died at Emory, Va., in 
1882. B. W. S. Bishop married the second time, Mrs. 
Mary Dickey; no children; Mr. Bishop died at Taze- 
well, Va., in 1894; Mrs. Bishop (2) died at Glade Springs, 
Virginia, in 1911. George W. Goodykoontz married 
Mary Williamson, P. 0., East Radford, Virginia. He 
was a soldier in the Confederafe army, and was badly 
wounded. 

Their children were: First, Nancy; second, William; 
thu-d, Alfred; fourth, John; fifth, Ida; sixth, Charles; 
seventh, Lena; eighth, Harry. Nancy married; lives 

at . 

William married Miss Pope of Mason City, Iowa; 
one child, Ruth Evelyn. William held responsible 
positions as train-despatcher; he was only thirty-five 
years of age when he died at Mason City, Iowa. His wife 
and child reside there. 

Alfred married Miss Sadie Bosang of Pulaski, Va. 
They live in East Radford, Va., and have children. 
Alfred holds a responsible position with the N. & W. R. R. 

John married Miss Williams, of Roanoke,Va. They live 
in Roanoke and have children. John is one of the Division 
Superintendents of the N. & W. R. R. 

Ida married Charies Caldwell, of East Radford, Va. 
They live in East Radford and have children. 

Charles married Miss Rhea, of Bristol, Tenn. They 
live in Bluefield, W. Va.; have one child. Charles is a 
druggist. 

Lena married. They live in East Radford, Va., and 

have children. .• u ^.v, 

Harry (single) is in the drug business with his brother, 

Charles, in Bluefield. 

William (1862-1910) was a Confederate soldier. He 
was badly wounded, and carried a minnie ball in his 
arm till the day of his death. He married Lucy Wool- 



196 Pioneer Settlers 

wine. They lived at the old Goodykoontz homestead 
until about 1900, when they sold it and moved to Roanoke, 
Va. They have seven children: first, Horace Wells; 
second, Arthur Emmett; third, Oscar Wilmer; fourth, 
Oakey B.; fifth, Robert S.; sixth, a daughter, Willie C; 
seventh, a daughter, Lake E., married Mr. Samuel 
Fishbume Woody. 

Horace Wells married Miss Hooper, of New Orleans, 
Louisiana; he is a successful lawyer, and lives in Wil- 
liamson, West Virginia. Arthur Emmett, single, lives 
with his mother on the home place. Oscar Wilmer is 
married and lives in Chicago. They have children. 
Oakey B. is married; lives in Roanoke, Virginia. Robert 
L, single, lives in Roanoke, Virginia. 

Willie C, single; lives at the home place with her 
mother. Lake E. married Mr. Samuel Fishbume Woody, 
and lives in Roanoke, Virginia. William Goodykoontz 
died in 1910, at his home near Roanoke, Virginia. 

Alfred (1844-1872) married Ellen Cecil in 1870; one 
son, John, bom April, 1871, died in 1897; never married. 

David (3), son of David (2), (1853-1853). 

Millard F., bom 1855, married first, Mary Howery, 
second, Lizzie McCauley; P. 0., Graham, Va.; children: 
Julia May, married J. D. Williams, P. 0., Roanoke, Va.; 
Mattie Myrtle, married W. D. Bower, P. 0., Camp Creek, 
Va.; Minnie Ruth, married M. L. Snead, P. O., Carloover, 
Bath county, Va.; Glen P., P. 0., 1016 Kmdle Avenue, 
Portsmouth, 0.; Second marriage children: Clarence 
F., Robert E., Harry L., Roy F., Nannie A., William D., 
Bernard Ellis. 

Elizabeth Goodykoontz (1834-1842), Adeline J. (1846- 
1855). Nancy Rosetta (1851-1856). 

Ellen Goodykoontz, youngest daughter, married S. 
Zechariah Cecil. They live near Newbem, Va., and have 
five children : Samuel, Linnie, Ruth, Mary, Estell. Samuel 



Grayson County, Va. 197 

is married and lives in Newbern, Va.; has children. 
Linnie, single, lives at home. Ruth married Isaac Walton 
McClure; they live in Texas, and have three sons and four 
daughters. Mary married Mr. E. H. Southern; they have 
two children; live in Pulaski, Va. Estell, single. 

Washington Goodykoontz (1882-1895), P. 0., Floyd, 
Va. ; was never married; was in Confederate army. 

George Goodykoontz (2), (January 30, 1812-April, 
1888) married Sarah Williamson., P. O., Caledonia, Mo. 
His children: Redmond, Letitia, Clark, Mary (January 
9, 1855) married Mr. Bland, P. O., St. Louis, Mo. Thomas 

(18 ), P. 0., Caledonia, Mo. 

Rev. Alfred M. Goodykoontz was a member of Holston 
Conference (November 3, 1813-November 15, 1857). 
He married Mary A. Kirkpatrick, October 8, 1846, 
P. 0., Ross, Tenn. He died in Abingdon, Va., while 
preaching the gospel. One daughter, Margaret Emma, 
(single) P. 0., Prosise, Tenn. One son, George E. 
(April 7, 1854), married Sarah J. Loving, March 26, 
1878, P. 0., Prosise, Tenn. Children: Minnie Andrews, 
Charles Franklin, Edgar Marion, William Loving, Thomas 
K. Beaver, James Richard, Joseph Wiley, Mary Margaret 
(October 14, 1894.) 
Rachel Goodykoontz (October 14, 1815) was drowned 

June 17, 1818. 

Nancy (July 27, 1817-September 9, 1842) married 
Pascal Baber who died September 23,1842; first daughter, 
Arabella Baber (October 27, 1837-March 20, 1883.), 
married William Hall, August 9, 1870; children: Washing- 
ton C. Hall, October 3, 1872; Mae Adda (January 3, 1874), 
married Crockett Le Seuer, Bristol, Tenn.; Nannie 
Luther (September 26, 1876-March 10, 1883), William 
Rush Hall (March 8, 1878-July 23, 1905). 

One son, John W. Baber (April 5, 1840-August 6, 
1861), was in Confederate army. 



198 Pioneer Settlers 

Second daughter, Clementine Baber (July 15, 1842), 
P. O., Floyd, Va.; never married. 

Adeline Goodykoontz (December 24, 1820) married 
Johnathan Hall; no children, Riner, Va. 

Polly Goodykoontz (March 13, 1824), died when a 
little girl. 

GOODYKOONTZ— PHLEGAR FAMILY 

Two of the daughters of David Goodykoontz, Sr., 
married Phlegars. 

Mary M. Goodykoontz (1769-1832) married in 1789, 
George Phlegar (1762-1834). Their son, Benjamin 

Phlegar, married first, Mary , second, Sarah 

. They lived at Floyd, Va., and had a large 

family. Their son, George, was a Confederate soldier, 
and was killed in the battle of Gettysburg; Andrew was 
a bachelor; Ellen married David Willis, Floyd, Va.; 
Mary married Judge Merritt; Adeline, maid; Thomas, 
bachelor; Abram, bachelor; Henrietta married Rev. 
George W. Summers, of Holston Conference; John N.; 
Nancy married Mr. Smith; Lillie, maid; Dora married 
Mr. Irving Rooney, New York; Estella married Dr. 
Smith, Radford, Va.; Benjamin; Jesse M.; WiUiam 
married Miss Smith; Mattie married Mr. Brown. 

Rev. G. W. Summers and wife, Henrietta Phlegar, 
had six daughters: first, Pearl, married Mr. Thompson 
Asbury; they live in Glade Spring, Va.; no children. 
Second, Bane, married Mr. Paul Dulaney of Bristol, Tenn.; 
they live in Washington City; have two children, Ben- 
jamin Bane and Paul Summers. Third, Mary, married 
Mr. George Penn, Jr., of Abingdon, Virginia. They live 
in Abingdon; have one daughter. Fourth, Dora, single, 
Washington, D. C. Fifth, Lois, single, Bristol, Ten- 
nessee. Sixth, Bessie, single, Bristol, Tennessee. 



Grayson County, Va. 199 

Mrs. Henrietta Summers died while the family lived 
in Cleveland, Tenn., and is buried in the Cleveland 
cemetery. Dr. Summers is a professor in Sullins College, 
Bristol, Tenn. 

Grandchildren of Mary M. Goodykoontz and George 
Phlegar: 

Elizabeth Phlegar (1790-1850) never married. 

Lydia (1792-18) married. 

Joseph (1794-18,) married. 

Great grandchildren: 

Isaac Phlegar, Calvin, John, Margaret, Eliza, married 
Mr. Simmons; Sarah, married Martel Le Seuer; Jacob, 
David, and Joseph. 

Margaret (1775-1851), third daughter of David Goody- 
koontz, married Abram Phlegar, December 12, 1797, 
P. 0., Floyd, Va. Their son, Eli Phlegar, was born in 
1808; died in 1864; P. 0., Floyd, Va. 

Following is a sketch of Eli Phlegar's son, Judge Archer 
A. Phlegar: 

DEATH COMES TO JUDGE PHLEGAR 

Distinguished Jurist Succumbs to Bright 's Disease 
After Brief Illness. 

Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia, December twenty-second — 
Judge Archer A. Phlegar, distinguished Virginia lawyer 
and jurist, died at his home here at ten forty-five o'clock 
Simday morning. He had been ill but one week, death 
resulting from acute Bright's disease, following an attack 
of grip. 

It was Judge Phlegar's oft-expressed wish that he might 
die "in harness," and this wish was virtually fulfilled, 
for he had just concluded the argument in an important 
civil suit in the corporation court here, when he became 
ill and had to hasten to his home. 



200 Pioneer Settlers 

Judge Phlegar's rather sudden death removes one of 
the most distinguished lawyers and jurists, not alone of 
his own State, but of the entire South. He was an author- 
ity upon all important questions of law, and during 
many years of active work he made for himself a repu- 
tation which only high merit could possibly have attained. 
He was never placed in any position of trust or respon- 
sibility during his long career as a lawyer and jurist 
that he did not meet the demands of the occasion with 
masterly ability, and his success was emphasized by the 
extensive clientage which he had represented for so many 
years. In recent years he had been at the head of the 
law firm of Phlegar, Powell, Price and Shelton, of this 
city, which firm had an important clientage extending 
over portions of Virginia, Tennessee, and West Virginia, 
and embracing clients among important financial and cor- 
porate interests in New York City and other financial 
and commercial centers. 

Judge Phlegar continued in his activities with his 
wonted vigor until seized with his fatal illness a week ago, 
and up to that time no man in Virginia had been more 
zealous in the attention to important duties. 

During the last fifteen years, Judge Phlegar had not 
only represented various important corporations in the 
capacity of legal advisor, but aside from his service in 
this capacity to the Norfolk and Western Railway Com- 
pany, the Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Railway Com- 
pany, and kindred corporations, he had served as receiver 
for the Virginia Iron, Coal and Coke Company, which 
has a capital stock of ten million dollars, and after having 
by his wise business methods, brought its company out 
of a state of financial embarrassment by adding largely 
to its earnings, he was made general counsel for the com- 
pany. This compliment to his energy and ability had 
not been long thrust upon him until he received the 



Grayson County, Va. 201 

appointment at the hands of Governor Hoge Tyler to a 
position on the State Supreme Court bench. He was named 
to fill out the unexpired term of the late Judge Riley. 
His desire to serve his state was such that he immediately 
resigned as general counsel for the Virginia Iron, Coal 
and Coke Company, thus surrendering a handsome 
income that he might be of direct service to the people 
of his State. 

Judge Phlegar was a son of Eli and Ann C. Phlegar. 
He was bom at Christiansburg, in Montgomery county, 
Virginia, February twenty-second, eighteen and forty-five 
and was therefore, in his sixty-eighth year. His early 
education was received at the Montgomery Male Acad- 
emy, at Christiansburg. He later took the course at 
Washington and Lee University. 

He left the University to enter the Confederate Army. 
He served as a soldier in the Fifty-fourth Virginia regi- 
ment of which his uncle, Robert C. Trigg, was colonel. 
At the close of the civil war he studied law under the late 
Judge Waller R. Staples, of Christiansburg. He was 
admitted to the bar at Christiansburg in eighteen and 
sixty-nine. He rapidly attained to eminence in his pro- 
fession. One of the first positions held by him after being 
admitted to the bar was that of commonwealth's attorney 
for Montgomery county. He served as a member of the 
Virginia State Senate in eighteen and eighty-one. He 
was again elected to that body in nineteen and three, 
and between that year and nineteen and five had a con- 
spicuous hand in shaping the legislation necessary to 
make the code of Virginia conform to the new State 
constitution. 

Judge Phlegar was tendered an appointment on the 
corporation commission of Virginia by Governor Mon- 
tague, but declined this honor. 



202 Pioneer Settlers 

Judge Phlegar's death is not only a distinct loss to the 
profession which he honored through so many years of 
successful practice, but to the State and community, 
and to the Presbyterian Church, of which he had been 
an humble and consecrated member since he was a young 
man. He was the teacher of the men's Bible class of this 
city, and that class met this Simday afternoon to do 
honor to his memory. 

He took special pride in Sunday school work, and as 
an instructor on Bible topics, was distinguished for his 
aptness and ability. 

At the time of his death, Judge Phlegar was general 
counsel for the Virginia and Southwestern Railway 
Company, having succeeded Judge Joseph L. Kelly 
in that position upon the promotion of the latter to the 
corporation court judgeship in October, nineteen and 
ten. He had also served as first vice-president and a 
director in the Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Railway 
Company, but resigned those positions some time ago. 
He was president of the Bank of Christiansburg, a position 
which he had held for fifteen years. He was always deeply 
concerned in the welfare of Christiansburg and its insti- 
tutions, and although long a resident of Bristol he had 
never changed his place of legal residence from Christians- 
burg, nor had he transferred his church membership 
from there. 

Judge Phlegar was especially noted for his philan- 
thropic work. He was one of the trustees of the Thronwell 
orphanage at Clinton, South Carolina, and for years had 
contributed to the expense of that institution. It was 
a rule of his life to contribute ten per cent of his earnings 
to charity, and from year to year he wrote numerous 
checks at this season of the year in conformity with his 
plan of giving. He had given many thousands of dollars 
for charity, and in so doing he was always unpretentious, 



Grayson County, Va. 203 

preferring that nothing be said concerning his giving. 
The poor of this and other communities will miss his 
annual contributions to them at this season, as it was his 
custom to mail these checks on the first of each year. 

Judge Phlegar is survived by his widow, who, prior 
to her marriage, was Miss Susan Shanks, of Salem, and 
by the following children : David S. Phlegar, of Norfolk, 
Virginia; Mrs. E. B. Crosley, Philadelphia; Miss Mary 
Phlegar, of Bristol, and Hunter Phlegar, of Christians- 
burg. 

All members of the family were at his bedside when 
the end came, it having become apparent late Saturday 
that he had small chance to recover. 

The funeral party will leave Bristol for Christiansburg 
Monday evening, and the burial will take place there 
Tuesday afternoon. The funeral service will be con- 
ducted from the Presbyterian church of Christiansburg 
at two o'clock Tuesday afternoon, at which time it is 
expected that many prominent persons from over the 
State will be in attendance. The Bristol bar, of which 
Judge Phlegar had been a distinguished member for a 
number of years, will be largely represented at the funeral. 

Numerous messages were sent from here Sunday to 
notify friends and relatives throughout the State of the 
death of Judge Phlegar. 

The news of the death spread rapidly among the people 
in the churches of the city, thousands having assembled 
for the worship of the morning service just at the hour 
when death had claimed the beloved lawyer and citizen, 
whos^e noble Christian life and high ideals had impressed 
the people of this community of his great worth. The 
funeral party left Bristol this evening and occupied a 
private car of the Virginia and Southwestern Railway. 
Ofl5cials of the railway and members of the Bristol bar 
accompanied the body to Christiansburg. 



204 Pioneer Settlers 

One daughter of Eli Phlegar, Ellen (born 1848), married 
Mr. Johnston; their first daughter, Anna Johnston (born 
in 1868), married Mr. Campbell; second daughter, Susan 
(1870) married Mr. Price; their sons were Richard, Lennie 
Archer P. (1876). 



CHAPTER XIII 

THE KENNEY FAMILY 

William Kenney and wife, Miss Dunn, were early- 
settlers in this country. They came from Frederick 
county, Va., and settled in the Valley of Crooked Creek, 
now Carroll county, Va. His sons were Robert, Hance, 
and William. Robert married Miss Mallory; her mother 
was Rosa Bourne, daughter of Stephen Bourne. William 
manned Fidelia Wells, of Wilson, Va. Their son, John 
A. Kenney, still owns part of the old homestead. There 
were three daughters: Eliza Kenney married Dr. James 
Worrell; Eleanor married Robert N. Anderson, and Jane 
married James Early. Amos Ballard, of Grayson Old C.H., 
married Jane Kenney, sister of William Kenney, Sr. 

John Early was also an early settler of English ancestry. 
He married Miss Rhoda Stevens, of Reed Island, Va.; 
lived near what is now Hillsville. Their sons were James, 
John, Peter. James married Jane Kenney; Peter married 
Jane Worrell ; John married Ann Johnston, sister to Mrs. 
Martha Johnston Thornton, wife of William Thornton, 
who for many years has kept the hotel, "Texas House," 
Hillsville, Va. Mrs. Rhoda Stevens Early married sec- 
ond time. Dr. Straw, of Wythe county, but is buried at 
Hillsville, Va. 

Dr. Joshua Stoneman, a Quaker from Pennsylvania, 
was for a long time the only doctor in this country. 
He was a very prominent and useful citizen and had one 
son, Mark D. Stoneman. Dr. Stoneman moved to 
Illinois. His daughters were well posted in vegetable 
medicines, and very useful and attentive in sickness. 



206 Pioneer Settlers 

One of Dr. Stoneman's daughters, Elizabeth, had her 
horse and saddle bags always ready, and travelled all 
over this country at night, or in daytime, whenever called. 
Another daughter, Mary who married Louis LaRowe, 
would go to attend the sick whenever called for. 

There are a number of the Stoneman descendants here, 
and we find them solid and firm. They are as the name 
indicates, "Stone Men." 

There are other families worthy a place in history of 
this upper New River Valley, but time and space forbid 
the record. I hope some one in the future will write up 
this country and its people better than I have been able 
to do. At any rate the history has been known, and will 
continue to be written on memories pages, and is known 
and will be known to the great God of the universe, unto 
whom we all shall render up the final account, for the 
manner and use we have made of the time, opportunities, 
and talents given to us. 



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